Yes, coastal flood zones factor in increased flooding hazard caused by wave action. These flood zones are designated as VE zones with the V standing for “velocity.” Insurance premium amounts are usually higher in the VE zones than in riverine flooding areas.
The Flood Insurance Study (also known as Flood Elevation Study) means an examination, evaluation, and determination of flood hazards and, if appropriate, corresponding water surface elevations, or an examination, evaluation and determination of mudslide (i.e., mudflow) and/or flood-related erosion hazards.
The letter designations describe different risk determinations based on the available scientific studies of the area. For example, an AE zone will be inundated by the 100 year flood (1% annual chance) as determined by a detailed study. For AE zones the base flood elevation (BFE) is provided. Generally speaking A zones refer to inland […]
ADECA’s Office of Water Resources manages the flood-mapping program. The time frame for the process of developing an updated community map is approximately three years. There are several stages to the process including data acquisition, surveying, engineering studies, map production, numerous quality reviews and community meetings.
A simple letter of map amendment (LOMA) for a single structure can generally be issued in four weeks. Map changes involving multiple lots or structures can require up to eight weeks. Letters of map revision (LOMR) which requires a change in the base flood elevation or the floodway take approximately 90 days to process. Complex […]
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has several methods of changing a map depending on the nature of the change requested. A physical map revision is an official republication of the community’s flood maps. Several types of letters of map change (LOMC) can also make changes to the communities flood maps. A letter of map […]
The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) Community Status Book provides a quick and easy way to see the latest current effective date for your community’s flood map.
The National Insurance Reform Act of 1994 mandates the purchase of flood insurance as a condition of federally related financial assistance for development in flood hazard areas (A, AE, AO, AH, numbered A, V, and VE). Lending institutions may require flood insurance for some areas located outside of the special flood hazard area.
You may view and obtain flood maps on the FEMA Map Service Center web site at https://msc.fema.gov. You may also order paper copies of the current effective flood maps and flood insurance study by calling the FEMA Map Information eXchange (FMIX), toll free, at 1-877-FEMA MAP (1-877-336-2627).
You may view physical copies of the current effective flood map by contacting your community’s floodplain administrator or the mayor of your community. The community maps are located at the community map repository.
