FEMA Flood Hazard Zones

The Flood Hazard Zones are extracted from the National Flood Hazard Layer, which is a database that contains FEMA’s flood hazard map data. The database contains flood hazard information and supporting data used to develop the information. The primary flood hazard classification is indicated in the Flood Hazard Zones layer.

Flood zones are geographic areas that FEMA has defined according to varying levels of flood risk and type of flooding. For complete information about different flood zone designations, please visit the Definitions of FEMA Flood Zones web page.

Flood Hazard Zone Descriptions:
  Floodway: The stream channel and that portion of the adjacent floodplain which must remain open to permit passage of the base flood.
  1% Annual Chance Flood Zone: The 100-year or base floodplain.
  0.2% Annual Chance Flood Zone: Area of moderate flood hazard, usually the area between the limits of the 100-year and 500-year floodplains, but also shallow flooding areas (< 1 foot) or flood zones for small drainage areas (< 1 square mile).
  Area with Reduced Risk Due to Levee: Areas protected by levees from the 100-year flood.
  1% Annual Chance Future Considerations: The 100-year floodplain based on anticipated future land-use conditions.
  Area of Undetermined Hazard: Area of undetermined but possible flood hazard, typically occurring in counties with partial flood studies.

This information was acquired by state-level release February, 2020. Data release dates by state range from December 07, 2016 (Vermont) to February 12, 2020 (Utah).