FEMA Flood Zone Question

[icisic7]

This is the first time I've run into this. The new 1004 asks in the 'Site' area if it's in a FEMA Special Flood Zone area, yes or no? The subject is in zone D, which is defined as "An area of undetermined but possible flood hazards." That's not really a yes or no answer. Any suggestions? My mentor is out of town until Monday, so I thought I'd ask here first.

Thanks.

 

[Smokey Bear]

Special flood zones start with A, or V, I think. I found a link to an insurance company that says what zones are "special" meaning they are required to have flood insurance. Didn't I hear that New Orleans was NOT in a special flood zone, because of all those nice sturdy levies?

http://www.charlestonhomeadvisor.com/flood-insurance.htm

 

[Randolph Kinney]

The FEMA site (SEE BELOW) has the same information as Cynthia Hamilton gave from an insurance site.

What are the different flood hazard zone designations and what do they mean?

You can also get flood maps from FEMA at:

FEMA MAP CENTER

 

[icisic7]

Cynthia, I think the subject area might flood if we had one of them there 500 year floods. It just never rains that much here (can you say "semi-arid southwest?")

Thanks for the links, folks!

 

[Randolph Kinney]

One other source that I have spells it out clearly:

"The mandatory purchase of insurance is required within designated Zones A, A1–30, AE, A99, AO, AH, AR, AR/A1–30, AR/AE, AR/AO, AR/AH, AR/A, V1–30, VE, V,
VO, M, and E."

see attached PDF file

 

[CANative]

I leave both boxes unchecked, and make the comment "Zone D is an area not mapped by FEMA and of undetermined flood hazard."

I make additional comments as appropriate to the site (improvements up on a ridge, improvements near a river or creek, areas which have a history of unstable slide areas, areas which have been stripped of vegetation by recent fires, etc., etc.)

 

[Smokey Bear]

The hard part is finding a definition of "special flood zone". I've taken it to mean a zone that requires flood insurance.

 

[icisic7]

Thanks again. I guess I was having trouble with the word "special" and just got fixated on it. I was taking it to mean an area the may get flooding and should have thought to look it up at FEMA. I found the definition of Zone D, and didn't go any further. Guess I shouldn't be working on a holiday weekend.