FEMA flood zone designations currently found within the City of Cape Coral

 

Flood zones are geographic areas that the FEMA has defined according to varying levels of flood risk.   These zones are depicted on a community's Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) or Flood Hazard Boundary Map.   Each zone reflects the severity or type of flooding in the area.

Moderate to Low Risk Areas

 

Flood insurance is available to all property owners and renters in these zones:

 

ZONE

DESCRIPTION

* 2PACFH

also known as

X (shaded) on Flood Insurance Rate Map

Areas of 0.2% annual chance flood; areas of 1% annual chance flood with average depths of less than 1 foot or with drainage areas less than 1 square mile; and areas protected by levees from 1% annual chance flood.     

    *X (shaded) is also known as the 0.2% Annual Chance Flood Hazard.

X (unshaded)

Areas determined to be outside the 0.2% annual chance floodplain.

 

High Risk Areas

Special Flood Hazard Areas Subject to Inundation by the 1% Annual Chance Flood

 

Federally backed mortgages require flood insurance for those properties having structures located in an A, AE, or VE zone. 

 

ZONE

DESCRIPTION

A

The 1% annual flood (lOO-year flood), also known as the base flood, is the flood that has a 1% chance of being equaled or exceeded in any given year. The Special Flood Hazard Area is the area subject to flooding by the 1% annual chance flood.  The Base Flood Elevation is the water-surface elevation of the 1% annual chance flood.

 

No Base Flood Elevations determined.  Because detailed analyses are not performed for such areas; no depths or base flood elevations are shown within these zones.

AE

The 1% annual flood (lOO-year flood), also known as the base flood, is the flood that has a 1% chance of being equaled or exceeded in any given year. The Special Flood Hazard Area is the area subject to flooding by the 1% annual chance flood.  The Base Flood Elevation is the water-surface elevation of the 1% annual chance flood.

 

The base floodplain where base flood elevations are provided.

 

 

 

High Risk - Coastal Areas

 

Federally backed mortgages require flood insurance for those properties having structures located in an A, AE, or VE zone. 

 

VE

Coastal areas with a 1% or greater chance of flooding and an additional hazard associated with storm waves. These areas have a 26% chance of flooding over the life of a 30-year mortgage. Base flood elevations derived from detailed analyses are shown at selected intervals within these zones.

 

Coastal flood zone with velocity hazard (wave action); Base Flood Elevations determined.

 

For further information, please visit the following web page, located on the FEMA website:

http://www.fema.gov/plan/prevent/floodplain/nfipkeywords/flood_zones.shtm

 

Definitions

 

Base Flood Elevation: The computed elevation to which floodwater is anticipated to rise during the base flood. Base Flood Elevations (BFEs) are shown on Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) and on the flood profiles.  The BFE is the regulatory requirement for the elevation or floodproofing of structures. The relationship between the BFE and a structure's elevation determines the flood insurance premium.

 

Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM): The official map of a community on which FEMA has delineated both the special hazard areas and the risk premium zones applicable to the community.

 

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA): The federal agency under which the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) is administered. In March 2003, FEMA became part of the newly created U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

 

National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP): The program of flood insurance coverage and floodplain management administered under the Act and applicable Federal regulations promulgated in Title 44 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Subchapter B.