Flood Preparedness Guides
Practical resources to help you understand your flood risk and prepare for potential flooding.
Understanding Your Flood Risk Score
Every county in the United States receives a composite flood risk score from 0 to 100 based on four factors drawn from FEMA data. Claims density, which measures the number of NFIP flood insurance claims relative to the county's population, carries the heaviest weight at 40%. This factor captures the actual frequency of flooding events that resulted in insured losses.
Disaster declaration frequency accounts for 25% of the score and reflects how often FEMA has declared a flood-related disaster in the county. Claim severity, weighted at 20%, measures the average payout per claim, distinguishing between counties that experience minor nuisance flooding and those hit by catastrophic events. The final 15% comes from year-over-year trend analysis, which flags counties where flood risk is increasing.
Scores translate into letter grades for quick reference: A (0-20) indicates the lowest risk, while F (81-100) signals extreme risk. A county with a grade of C or higher deserves serious attention from homeowners considering flood insurance, even if the property sits outside a mapped flood zone.
Do I Need Flood Insurance?
If you have a mortgage from a federally regulated lender and your property is in a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA), you are legally required to carry flood insurance. But mandatory coverage is only part of the story. FEMA reports that more than 25% of all flood insurance claims come from properties outside high-risk zones, and nearly 99% of U.S. counties have experienced a flood event.
Standard homeowners insurance policies do not cover flood damage. A separate flood insurance policy through the NFIP or a private insurer is the only way to protect your property. NFIP policies are available to anyone in a participating community, regardless of flood zone designation. Premiums in moderate- and low-risk zones can be as low as a few hundred dollars per year.
When evaluating your need, look beyond the flood map. Check your county's flood risk score on this site, review the claims history for your area, and consider factors like local drainage, impervious surface coverage, and proximity to waterways. A county with a low risk score but a rising trend may warrant coverage as a precaution.
How to Read FEMA Flood Maps
FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) divide communities into flood zones based on statistical flood risk. Zone A and Zone V are Special Flood Hazard Areas with a 1% annual chance of flooding (often called the 100-year floodplain). Zone V specifically denotes coastal areas subject to wave action. Zone AE and VE include base flood elevations, which specify the height floodwaters are expected to reach.
Zone X (shaded) represents areas with a 0.2% to 1% annual chance of flooding (the 500-year floodplain), while Zone X (unshaded) indicates minimal flood risk. Zone D means the area has not been studied and flood risk is undetermined. Properties in Zones A and V face the highest insurance requirements, but properties in any zone can flood.
You can look up your property's flood zone on the FEMA Flood Map Service Center. Enter your address to view the current FIRM panel. Keep in mind that flood maps are updated periodically, and a property's zone designation can change. If you believe your property has been incorrectly mapped, you can submit a Letter of Map Amendment (LOMA) to FEMA.
Flood Preparedness Checklist
Preparation can significantly reduce flood damage and keep your family safe. Start with insurance: purchase or review your flood insurance policy well before flood season, as there is typically a 30-day waiting period before a new NFIP policy takes effect. Document your belongings with photos or video and store important documents in a waterproof container or digital backup.
For your property, clear gutters and drains regularly, install check valves in plumbing to prevent backflow, and consider elevating electrical systems, water heaters, and appliances above potential flood levels. If you live in a high-risk area, look into permanent flood barriers or flood vents for your foundation. Sandbags can provide temporary protection but should not be your only line of defense.
Build an emergency kit with at least three days of water (one gallon per person per day), non-perishable food, medications, flashlights, batteries, and a battery-powered radio. Know your evacuation routes and have a communication plan for your household. Sign up for local emergency alerts through your county's emergency management office and monitor the National Weather Service for flood watches and warnings in your area.