Special Flood Hazard Area

The purpose of this page is to define a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA), a commonly used term in floodplain management.

Definition/Description

The land area covered by the floodwaters of the base flood is the Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) on NFIP maps. The SFHA is the area where the National Flood Insurance Program's (NFIP's) floodplain management regulations must be enforced and the area where the mandatory purchase of flood insurance applies. The SFHA includes Zones A, AO, AH, A1-30, AE, A99, AR, AR/A1-30, AR/AE, AR/AO, AR/AH, AR/A, VO, V1-30, VE, and V.

National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) Requirement

• 59.1 - Definition of Lowest Floor
• 60.3 - Floodplain Management Criteria

Guidance

• IS-9 Managing Floodplain Development Through The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) (page 3-5)

Related Keywords

• Base Flood
• Flood Zones