What flood hazard zones are shown on the Flood Insurance Rate Map and what do they mean?
Several areas of flood hazard are commonly identified on the FIRM. One of these areas is the SFHA, which is defined as the area that will be inundated by the flood event having a 1-percent chance of being equaled or exceeded in any given year. The 1-percent chance flood is also referred to as the 100-year or “base” flood. SFHAs are labeled as Zone A, Zone AO, Zone AH, Zones A1-30, Zone AE, Zone A99, Zone V, Zone VE, and Zones V1-30. Moderate flood hazard areas, labeled Zone B or Zone X (shaded), are also shown on the FIRM, and are the areas between the limits of the base flood and the 0.2-percent-annual-chance (or “500-year”) flood. The areas of minimal flood hazard, which are the areas outside the SFHA and above the 0.2-percent-annual-chance flood level, are labeled Zone C or Zone X (unshaded). The definitions for the various flood hazard areas are presented below. Zone V: Areas along coasts subject to inundation by the 100-year flood event with additional hazards associated with stor
