What is a flood map?

Flood maps show a community’s risk of flooding. Specifically, flood maps show a community’s flood zone, floodplain boundaries, and base flood elevation.

Property owners, insurance agents, and lenders can use flood maps to determine flood insurance requirements and policy costs.

Because your flood risk changes over time, the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) work with communities across the country to identify and map flood risk on an ongoing basis.

Where can I learn more?

If you’re interested in how to read a flood map, learning how often flood maps change, of looking for information on how to change your flood zone designation visit FEMA’s Map Service Center.

Get answers to your flood map questions or talk with someone from FEMA’s Flood Map Service Center.

Did you know?

Between 2014 and 2018, more than 40 percent of flood insurance claims came from outside high-risk flood areas. Learn more about your property’s flood risk today.