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Frequently Asked Questions About Flood Zone Determinations

Additional background information can be found on this website under "History and Scope of the National Flood Insurance Program" and "Guide to Flood Zones & Flood Map Disputes"; see also our complete list of "Frequently Asked Questions" and "Glossary of Terms". Comprehensive information is also available at the NFIP website: www.fema.gov/nfip

What is a flood zone determination?

A flood zone determination is an official declaration, made by an authorized entity (such as a lender, or an independent vendor like LERETA), which states whether or not a structure lies within a Special Flood Hazard Area [SFHA]. Flood zone determinations must be published on the Standard Flood Hazard Determination form; the completed form is generically referred to as a "flood certificate".

When is a flood zone determination required?

Under the Flood Disaster Protection Act of 1973 and the National Flood Insurance Reform Act of 1994, all Federally regulated lenders are obliged to make a flood zone determination when making, increasing, renewing or extending a loan secured by a residential or commercial building. If the building is determined to be in a SFHA, and the community in which the building is located participates in the National Flood Insurance Program [NFIP], then flood insurance must be purchased as a condition of closing the loan.

How are flood zone determinations performed?

The Federal laws mentioned above also mandated the method by which flood zone determinations should be performed: All determinations must be based on the information depicted on the Flood Insurance Rate Map [FIRM] for the community in which the building lies. A FIRM (generically referred to as a "flood map") is a map that typically shows community features, such as streets, highways, and corporate boundaries, and any SFHAs that lie within that community. Most determinations are completed automatically by a computer, using digitally scanned and stored versions of FIRMs; determinations for properties near flood zones are completed manually by skilled Map Analysts, using the original, printed FIRMs.

How are flood hazard areas & flood levels determined?

The flood hazard areas that appear on the FIRMs are determined using statistical analyses of records of river flow, storm tides, and rainfall; information obtained through consultation with the community; floodplain topographic surveys; and hydrologic and hydraulic analyses. This process (known as the "Flood Insurance Study") covers those areas subject to flooding from rivers and streams, along coastal areas and lakeshores, or in shallow flooding areas.

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