FEMA Regions Map: An In-Depth Guide for Homeowners

If you are concerned with flooding, Pinellas County flood zone maps can help you better understand the risks facing your home. You can use these maps to determine whether your home is located in a high-risk area, ensure that you have proper insurance coverage, and guide preparation efforts in the event of a major weather event.

Not quite sure which FEMA flood zone map Pinellas County residents find most helpful? This is completely understandable, as FEMA publishes so much data about flooding and flood insurance that it can be overwhelming to find the most pertinent information for your situation. Don’t worry, you do not need to become an insurance expert to understand FEMA regions maps or protect your home from the dangers of rising water. All you need to do is familiarize yourself with some commonly used FEMA terminology and locate the right map for your county. 

From there, you will need to connect with a reputable provider that can help you understand your coverage needs and provide you with an adequate flood insurance policy.   

That said, let’s take a closer look at everything you need to know about FEMA regions maps: 

What Is a Flood Zone?

A flood zone is a designated area that has the propensity to flood during certain adverse weather events, like a hurricane or prolonged periods of heavy rain. Flood zones are identified on flood insurance rate maps (FIRMS).  

There are several different types of flood zones. The two that you will most likely need to be familiar with are “V” and “A”. 

An area with a “V” designation is within the 100-year floodplain. Areas within this metric are at a 1% or greater risk of experiencing yearly flooding at or beyond the base flood elevation (BFE). The BFE is the elevation that flood waters are expected to rise to in the event of a flood. “V” flood zones are also expected to experience “wave action.”

Areas with an “A” designation also fall within the 100-year floodplain. These areas are exposed to the same risk percentage as “V” flood zones. However, no wave action is expected because “A” zones are not in close proximity to coastal waterways. 

What is the FEMA Regions Map?

A FEMA regions map or FIRM flood insurance rate map identifies several specific zones, including Base Flood Elevations (BFEs), risk premium zones, and Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHAs). Since flood insurance rate maps also identify SFHAs, they are sometimes referred to as special flood hazard area maps. FIRM flood maps and special flood hazard maps are one and the same.

Most flood zones identified on these maps are located near rivers, lakes, and coastlines. However, floods can happen virtually anywhere, given the right weather conditions. Even areas miles away from rivers, lakes, or coastlines can experience flooding due to poor drainage, heavy rains, and other factors. 

FIRM maps help you better understand your property and its likelihood of being impacted by a flood. If the area you live in has a 1% or greater chance of experiencing a flood, it will be classified as “high risk.” During a 30-year mortgage, high-risk areas have a one-in-four chance of experiencing a flood.

As the name implies, FIRM maps are designed to assist insurers with assessing flood risk so they can issue policies accordingly. 

If your home is located in a high-risk area, it is important that you have proper insurance coverage. Without a flood insurance policy, you will be forced to pay for any flood-related damages out of pocket. These damages can be very expensive, easily totaling tens, if not hundreds, of thousands of dollars

How to Use the FEMA Regions Map

FEMA regions maps are a valuable tool for homeowners, mortgage lenders, and insurers. 

As a homeowner, there are several instances when you want to consult a FIRM map. Suppose you are interested in buying land and building a home outside of a subdivision. As part of your due diligence, you should review the FEMA map to determine the correct flood zone for the property location.

While you can still purchase the land and build the home if it is located in a “V” or “A” flood zone, doing so does carry some financial risk. You should verify that a mortgage lender would finance the home build in this flood zone. You should obtain preliminary flood insurance rates so you have a good idea of how much your annual home insurance will cost. 

Mortgage lenders use FIRM maps to help buyers avoid taking on undue risk when purchasing a home or building one. Lenders also use flood zone data to determine insurance requirements.

Insurers leverage FIRM map data, as well as flood history and several other pieces of information, to determine policy rates. Naturally, insuring a home in a high-risk area will come at a higher cost than purchasing a policy for a property outside of an SFHA. 

Understanding the FEMA Regions Map: A Glossary

It helps to familiarize yourself with the following technical terms: 

Base Flood Elevation (BFE)

The Base Flood Elevation is the elevation that has a 1% chance of being impacted during a given year. The BFE is more commonly known as a “100-year flood line.” 

Flood Zones

Flood zones are the various at-risk areas that are identified on FEMA regions maps. The National Flood Insurance Program uses these maps to inform its policies. Each flood zone is designated by one or more letters, such as “A” or “V.” Knowing the correct flood zone for your residence will help you determine the likelihood of experiencing a flood during the course of your mortgage. 

Flood Hazard

Broadly speaking, a flood hazard indicates that a flood event could endanger property or people. Flood hazards can include rising water, wave action, erosion, etc.

Limit of Moderate Wave Action (LiMWA)

The Limit of Moderate Wave Action (LiMWA) specifically applies to coastal areas, including numerous parts of Pinellas County. 

Informed by the recent Flood Insurance Study, FEMA established digital flood hazard maps and added LiMWA lines. LiMWA lines help Pinellas County residents located in coastal regions better understand flood risk. These lines indicate areas where waves may reach a height of 18″ or more during coastal flooding. 

Minimal Flood Hazard Areas

Minimal flood hazard areas fall outside of Special Flood Hazard Areas. Classifications for these areas are known as s flood zone “X” and appear unshaded on flood maps. They are at a higher elevation than the BFE, and the risk of a flood in these areas is 0.2% per year or less. 

Moderate Flood Hazard Areas

Moderate flood hazard areas are designated by the letter “X” as well, but they are shaded on the map. These areas are located between the BFE and the 500-year flood elevation. The risk of annual flooding in these areas is greater than 0.2% but less than 1%.  

High-Risk Areas

High-risk areas have a 1% chance of experiencing a flood in any single year. These areas are referred to as SFHAs. High-risk areas are always labeled as flood zones “V” or “A.” Structures in these areas must meet specific building criteria. Additionally, homes in these areas must be protected by flood insurance if they were purchased with federally-insured mortgages. 

Evacuation Zones

Evacuation zones are distinct from flood zones. An evacuation zone is an area that is expected to experience a hurricane-related storm surge. 

Typically, any high-risk flood zones need to be evacuated if hurricane impact is imminent. However, homeowners should defer to local authorities and recommendations from the National Hurricane Center when deciding whether to evacuate. 

Storm Surge

Homes located in flood zones are at greater risk of storm surge damage during a hurricane. A storm surge is a specific type of flooding that occurs when a large storm system pushes water toward the shore. 

Depending on where you live, your home may be in danger of experiencing a storm surge, even if it is not located in a flood zone. If there is a potential that you could experience a storm surge, obtaining flood insurance is highly advisable. 

Where are the FEMA Sites in Pinellas County? 

If Pinellas County or neighboring counties are impacted by a severe weather event, such as a hurricane or significant flooding, FEMA will open sites in the area. The number of sites opened will vary depending on the severity of the event, how many people were impacted, and several other factors. 

If a hurricane or flood displaces you, it is important to familiarize yourself with FEMA sites in Pinellas County. These sites are chosen on an event-by-event basis, but they are usually set up at schools, event centers, public buildings, and fire stations. 

In order to find FEMA sites near you, you could simply search the phrase “FEMA sites Pinellas County” in the days leading up to or following a major weather event.  

Meet FEMA Flood Insurance Requirements with RocketFlood

Now that you know how to use FEMA regions maps, it is time to take steps to protect your home and property. This means securing flood insurance in Florida. 

Remember, if you reside in flood zone “A” or “V” and have a federally-insured mortgage (i.e., FHA, VA, or USDA loan), you must have a flood insurance policy. However, even if you are not required to have flood insurance, adding additional coverage is a great idea, especially when living in a coastal area like Pinellas County.

If you want to learn more about flood insurance or are interested in receiving a quote, contact RocketFlood today. You deserve better flood insurance. RocketFlood can help you get it.

About The Author

Garrett Mitchell is the visionary behind RocketMGA, a cutting-edge comparative rater platform for flood insurance. With a passion for innovation and a deep understanding of the insurance industry, Garrett has created a platform that is changing the game for insurance producers all over the USA. Under his leadership, RocketMGA has become a leader in the industry, offering insurance producers the fastest and most efficient way to quote flood insurance. Garrett's background in technology and insurance, combined with his drive for excellence, has made him a respected voice in the industry. Whether he's speaking at industry events or sharing his insights on the RocketMGA blog, Garrett is committed to making a difference in the lives of insurance producers and helping them achieve success. Get to know Garrett and the RocketMGA revolution today!