What is flood zone a

Unlike other regions, AE flood zones have a lot of available data concerning BFEs, floodways and flood insurance requirements. But what is an AE flood zone and how does it differ from other at-risk districts? These regions are clearly defined in Flood Insurance Rate Maps and are paired with detailed information about base flood elevations.

Most AE flood zones are located in close proximity to floodplains, rivers and lakes, though low-lying regions without large bodies of water may also be classified under this designation. Since these areas are prone to flooding, homeowners with mortgages from federally regulated lenders are required to purchase flood insurance through the NFIP. No two AE flood zones are completely identical, as each region has its own anticipated BFE and sources of flooding.

For example, AE flood zones located near the Great Lakes are at risk when high water levels are combined with extreme winds that push waves onshore, according to research from FEMA. In contrast, AE flood zones along the eastern coast of the U. Regardless of the region-specific conditions, building in one of these high-risk zones comes with numerous regulations laid out by the American Society of Civil Engineers:. If you live in an AE flood zone or other high-risk area, purchasing flood insurance may be required.

For more information on floods and flood insurance, check out our homeowners support page or contact a representative today at The information in this article was obtained from a source or sources that are not associated with Amica.

The overall annual risk is 0. These are moderate-risk flood zones. The chance of a flood is somewhere between the year and year flood. These areas are typically protected by levees or have shallow flooding areas. Flood depths average less than one foot and drainage is less than one square mile. These flood zones are not a Special Flood Hazard Areas. These zones usually have minimal flooding though there may be some ponding or local drainage problems.

Zone X in particular is considered to be outside of the year flood area and is protected from the year flood by a levee. Flood D is designed to catch all other risk areas that are not defined by other flood zones. No hazard risk analysis has been done in these regions yet, so flood insurance is generally not mandatory.

Flood rates in this zone reflect the uncertainty of the flood risk. Need helping figuring out your flood zone? We can help with that when you apply for a flood insurance quote. Search Search. Flood Zones. What Are Flood Zones? Flood Zone A Flood Zone A is a high-risk flood zone that has a one percent chance of flooding each year. Flood Zone A99 Those in Flood Zone A99 are near completed or nearly-completed federal flood protection systems like a dam, dike, or levee.

The different A zones are named depending on the way in which they might be flooded. Living in an A Zone. Other Zones. Finding Your Zone Information. There are several ways to find out which zone applies to you. You can determine your risk online by visiting floodsmart.