Flood Hazard zones are geographic areas that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has defined according to varying levels of flood risk. These zones are depicted on a community's Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) or Flood Hazard Boundary Map. Each zone reflects the severity or type of flooding that is found in mapped area. Knowing your flood risk is the first step in protecting your property and family from floodwaters.
Use the following online tools to determine your flood hazard zone or contact the Stormwater Management Division at 817-459-6550 for more information concerning your flood risk.
Special Flood Hazard Areas - High Risk
Special Flood Hazard Areas represent the area subject to inundation by 1-percent-annual chance flood. Structures located within the SFHA have a 26-percent chance of flooding during the life of a standard 30-year mortgage. Federal floodplain management regulations and mandatory flood insurance purchase requirements apply in these zones.
There is a 30 day waiting period before the National Flood Insurance Program coverage takes effect. Don't wait for the next flood to buy insurance, visit www.Floodsmart.gov for more information or talk to your local insurance agent.
Zone A - Areas subject to inundation by the 1-percent-annual-chance flood event. Because detailed hydraulic analyses have not been performed, no Base Flood Elevations (BFEs) or flood depths are shown.
Zones AE, A1-A30 - Areas subject to inundation by 1-percent-annual-chance flood event determined by detailed methods. BFEs are shown within these zones. ( Zone AE is used on new and revised maps in place of Zones A1-30.)
Zone AH - Areas subject to inundation by 1-percent-annual-chance shallow flooding ( usually areas of ponding) where average depths are 1-3 feet. BFEs derived from detailed hydraulic analyses are shown in this zone.
Zone AO - Areas subject to inundation by 1-percent-annual-chance shallow flooding (usually sheet flow on sloping terrain) where average depths are 1-3 feet. Average flood depths derived from detailed hydraulic analyses are shown with in this zone.
Zone AR - Areas that result from the decertification of a previously accredited flood protection system that is determined to be in the process of being restored to provide base flood protection.
Zone A99 - Areas subject to inundation by the 1-percent-annual-chance flood event, but which will ultimately be protected upon completion of an under-construction Federal flood protection system. These are areas of special flood hazard where enough progress has been made on the construction of a protection system, such as dikes, dams, and levees, to consider it complete for insurance rating purposes. Zone A99 may be used only when the flood protection system has reached specified statutory progress toward completion. No BFEs or flood depths are shown.
Coastal High Hazard Areas - High Risk
Coastal High Hazard Areas ( CHHA) represent the area subject to inundation by 1-percent-annual-chance flood, extending from offshore to the inland limit of a primary frontal dune along an open coast and any other area subject to high velocity wave action from storms or seismic sources. Structures located within the CHHA have a 26-percent chance of flooding during the life of a standard 30-year mortgage. Federal floodplain management regulations and mandatory purchase requirements apply in these zones.
Zone V - Areas along coasts subject to inundation by the 1-percent-annual- chance flood event with additional hazards associated with storm-induced waves. Because detailed coastal analyses have not been performed, no BFEs or flood depths are shown.
Zones VE, V1-V30 - Areas along coasts subject to inundation by the 1-percent-annual-chance flood event with additional hazards due to storm-induced velocity wave action. BFEs derived from detailed hydraulic coastal analyses are shown within these zones. (Zone VE is used on new and revised maps in place of Zones V1-V30)
Moderate And Minimal Risk Areas
Areas of moderate or minimal hazard are studied based upon the principal source of flood in the area. However, buildings in these zones could be flooded by severe, concentrated rainfall coupled with inadequate local drainage systems. Local stormwater drainage systems are not normally considered in a community's flood insurance study. The failure of a local drainage system can create areas of high flood risk within these zones. Flood Insurance is available in participating communities, but is not required by regulation in these zones. Nearly 25-percent of all flood claims filed are for structures located within these zones.
Zones B, X (shaded) - Moderate risk areas within the 0.2-percent-annual-chance floodplain, areas of 1-percent-annual-chance flooding where average depths are less than 1 foot, areas of 1-percent-annual-chance flooding where the contributing drainage area is less than 1 square mile, and areas protected from the 1-percent-annual-chance flood by a levee. No BFEs or base flood depths are shown within these zones. ( Zone X (shaded) is used on new and revised maps in place of Zone B.)
Zones C, X (unshaded) - Minimal risk areas outside the 1-percent-annual-chance floodplains. No BFEs or base flood depths are shown within these zones. (Zone X (unshaded) is used on new and revised maps in place of Zone C.)
Undetermined Risk Areas
Zone D - Unstudied areas where flood hazards are undetermined, but flooding is possible. No mandatory flood insurance purchase requirements apply , but coverage is available in participating communities.