Risk Levels
How is flood risk determined?
FEMA conducts a Flood Insurance Study (FIS) of a region to identify the
community's risk levels. The FIS includes statistical data for river flow,
storm tides, rainfall, topographic surveys, as well as hydrologic and hydraulic
analyses. After examining the FIS data, FEMA creates a map delineating the
different areas of flood risk.
How can I find out my property's flood risk level?
Enter your property's location in the FloodSmart.gov risk
assessment tool.
My home is in a floodplain. Am I at high risk for flooding?
Yes. Buildings in floodplains, or Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHAs), are at
high risk for flood damage. Some floodplains experience frequent flooding,
while others are affected only when there is a severe storm.
As a homeowner in a floodplain, it's not so much a question of if a flood will
damage your property as when. That's why the law requires you to have flood
insurance. Did you know that an SFHA home has a 26% chance of being flooded
over a 30-year period, as compared to a 9% chance of suffering a fire? That
means that you're three times more likely to be damaged by a flood than a fire!
I live in a floodplain, but the ground my home is built on is very high.
Aren't I safe from flooding?
Not necessarily. Even if your home is on high ground, it can still be damaged
in an extreme flood event.
What is a Letter of Map Revision (LOMR) and how does it affect my flood
risk level?
A LOMR is an official amendment to the currently-effective FEMA map. Issued by
FEMA, the LOMR changes flood zones, delineations, and elevations. The FEMA map
revision may mean that your property is no longer shown in a special flood
hazard area (SFHA). However, if you receive a LOMR, your risk of flooding has
not been eliminated, only reduced.
The good news is that you would likely be eligible to pay much less for your
flood insurance coverage. Contact your insurance agent for additional
information.
What is a Letter of Map Amendment (LOMA)?
A LOMA is an amendment to the currently effective FEMA map which establishes
that a property is not located in a Special Flood Hazard Area. You can submit
property and elevation materials supporting a request for a Letter of Map
Amendment (LOMA) to remove your property from the SFHA. This process involves
the property owner and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
For detailed information regarding the LOMA process, call toll-free
1.877.336.2627.A LOMA is issued only by FEMA.
As I read about reducing flood risk, I keep hearing the term "flood
mitigation." What does this mean?
Flood mitigation refers to the measures a community takes to correct and
prevent flood risks. These efforts generally include zoning, subdivision, rules
for building in floodplains, and special-purpose floodplain ordinances. A
homeowner can minimize flood damage by preparing his or her home and contents
for a flood. For ideas, see
Before the Flood.
Do flood mitigation efforts affect the cost of insurance premiums?
Yes, they can. Communities may voluntarily participate in the Community Rating
System (CRS), where the mitigation efforts that go above and beyond the basic
requirements of the NFIP are evaluated and given a number. The higher a
community's CRS rating, the lower the risk of flooding and the lower the
premium rates for individuals in the community.
What is the role of a community in its flood hazard assessment?
Each community that chooses to participate in the NFIP works closely with the
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Together, they collect the
information needed to create an accurate Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) and
Flood Insurance Study (FIS) of the region. The FIRM and FIS will later be used
to determine flood insurance rates for homeowners.