Understanding Your Flood Risk with Flood Maps
FEMA provides a variety of resources to help communities understand their flood risks. Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) are one of these important resources. There are three divisions of risk shown on these maps: high-risk, moderate-to-low risk and undetermined risk. By understanding what type of risk your community has, you can better prepare for flooding to mitigate some of the damage caused by flooding each year.
What are Flood Maps?
Flood maps, known officially as Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs), show the flood risk in certain areas. Communities use the maps to set minimum building requirements for coastal areas and floodplains, lenders use them to determine flood insurance requirements and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) uses them to help determine what you should pay for flood insurance. Flood risks can change over time, and therefore the maps are updated. If your property's risk changes, your insurance costs and lender requirements for insurance can be affected. You can view a map of your area by visiting: http://msc.fema.gov/portal.
High-Risk Areas
A high-risk area is also known as a Special Flood Hazard Area or SFHA. These areas are marked on the flood maps as zones beginning with the letters "A" or "V". In these areas, there is at least a 1 in 4 chance of flooding during a 30-year mortgage. All home and business owners in these areas with mortgages from federally regulated or insured lenders are required to purchase flood insurance.
Moderate- to Low-Risk Areas
A moderate- to low-risk area is also known as a Non-Special Flood Hazard Area or NSFHA. These areas are marked on flood maps as zones beginning with the letters "B", "C" or "X" (or a shaded X). In these areas, the risk of flooding is reduced, but not completely eliminated. Flooding can happen anywhere, at any time, and these areas submit more than 20% of National Flood Insurance Program claims and receive 1/3 of Federal disaster assistance for flooding. While flood insurance isn't federally required in these areas, it is recommended.
Undetermined Risk Areas
Some of the flood maps also include areas where there are possible, but undetermined flood hazards or unstudied areas. These areas are marked on flood maps as zones beginning with the letter "D". Flood insurance rates in these areas reflect this uncertainty.
Knowing your risk is the first step in flood preparedness. For those communities in high-risk areas, we highly recommend having some type of easily stored flood control product such as Big Bags USA®. However, all communities are susceptible to flooding and can benefit from having our flood barriers on hand. The Big Bags USA® flood control systems can handle the highest demands at a fraction of the costs normally associated with rapid deployed systems. In addition, the systems can be re-used, so there's no need to budget for new systems every year. For more information on how Big Bags USA® can help your community be prepared for flooding, give us a call at 1-800-337-0537.
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| Photo From: FloodSmart.gov |
Flood maps, known officially as Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs), show the flood risk in certain areas. Communities use the maps to set minimum building requirements for coastal areas and floodplains, lenders use them to determine flood insurance requirements and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) uses them to help determine what you should pay for flood insurance. Flood risks can change over time, and therefore the maps are updated. If your property's risk changes, your insurance costs and lender requirements for insurance can be affected. You can view a map of your area by visiting: http://msc.fema.gov/portal.
High-Risk Areas
A high-risk area is also known as a Special Flood Hazard Area or SFHA. These areas are marked on the flood maps as zones beginning with the letters "A" or "V". In these areas, there is at least a 1 in 4 chance of flooding during a 30-year mortgage. All home and business owners in these areas with mortgages from federally regulated or insured lenders are required to purchase flood insurance.
Moderate- to Low-Risk Areas
A moderate- to low-risk area is also known as a Non-Special Flood Hazard Area or NSFHA. These areas are marked on flood maps as zones beginning with the letters "B", "C" or "X" (or a shaded X). In these areas, the risk of flooding is reduced, but not completely eliminated. Flooding can happen anywhere, at any time, and these areas submit more than 20% of National Flood Insurance Program claims and receive 1/3 of Federal disaster assistance for flooding. While flood insurance isn't federally required in these areas, it is recommended.
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| As you can see in the map above, Big Bags USA® is located in a moderate- to low-risk area. |
Undetermined Risk Areas
Some of the flood maps also include areas where there are possible, but undetermined flood hazards or unstudied areas. These areas are marked on flood maps as zones beginning with the letter "D". Flood insurance rates in these areas reflect this uncertainty.
Be Prepared with Big Bags USA®
Knowing your risk is the first step in flood preparedness. For those communities in high-risk areas, we highly recommend having some type of easily stored flood control product such as Big Bags USA®. However, all communities are susceptible to flooding and can benefit from having our flood barriers on hand. The Big Bags USA® flood control systems can handle the highest demands at a fraction of the costs normally associated with rapid deployed systems. In addition, the systems can be re-used, so there's no need to budget for new systems every year. For more information on how Big Bags USA® can help your community be prepared for flooding, give us a call at 1-800-337-0537.
If you have an immediate need for our systems, or have any questions for us, please Call us Toll Free at 1-800-337-0537 or visit www.BigBagsUSA.com.
If you have an immediate need for our systems, or have any questions for us, please Call us Toll Free at 1-800-337-0537 or visit www.BigBagsUSA.com.
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