Understanding the distinction between flood zones and floodplains is crucial for property owners, as it affects risk assessment and insurance needs. Use the Flood Zone and floodplains overlay to help property owners plan for flood management.
Important Definitions
City of Jacksonville Floodplain Definitions
Flood Zone: A flood zone is a specific geographical area defined by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) based on its level of flood risk. Flood zones are depicted on Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) and are categorized into different types, such as Zone A (high risk) and Zone X (low risk). Each zone has implications for flood insurance requirements and risk assessment.
Floodplain: A floodplain refers to any land area that is susceptible to flooding from any source, including rivers, lakes, or coastal areas. Floodplains serve as natural buffers, absorbing excess water during flood events. They are typically mapped alongside bodies of water and can extend beyond designated flood zones.
100-year flood: A flood occurring from a storm event that happens an average of every 100 years. This does not mean that a storm of this type will happen every 100-hundred years and only every 100 years. There is a 1 percent chance that a storm of this magnitude will occur in any given year. According to the City of Jacksonville’s 2010 comprehensive plan, a 100-year storm roughly equates to a category 3 hurricane.
Special Flood Hazard Area: An area of land that, in the opinion of FEMA, would be inundated by a 100-year flood.
Base Flood Elevation: The height in feet that the 100-year flood is expected to rise above sea level. Elevations are based on National Geodetic Vertical Datum of 1929.
The datum used for base flood elevations will change January 2011 to North American Vertical Datum of 1988.
Flood Zones
X
Areas outside the 100-year floodplain or SFHA, areas of 100-year sheet flow flooding where average depths are less than one foot, areas of 100-year stream flooding where the contributing drainage area is less than one square mile or areas protected from the 100-year flood by levees. No Base Flood Elevations (BFE) or depths are shown within this zone. Flood insurance is not mandatory and will be issued at preferred rates. An Elevation Certificate may be required to confirm that the structure meets the requirements of the City’s Floodplain Ordinance. Currently, this ordinance requires a Design Flood Elevation (DFE) of two feet (2′) above the highest Base Flood Elevation (BFE) located on the property.
AE
Areas within the 100-year floodplain or SFHA and the BFEs have been established. Flood insurance is mandatory. FEMA Elevation Certificates are required for construction within these areas. An Elevation Certificate is required prior to the slab inspection and a second Elevation Certificate is required at the time of final construction, prior to the final inspection.
A
Areas within the 100-year floodplain or SFHA, but the BFEs have not been established. Flood insurance is mandatory. FEMA Elevation Certificates are required for construction within these areas. An Elevation Certificate is required prior to the slab inspection and a second Elevation Certificate is required at the time of final construction, prior to the final inspection.
AO
Areas of relatively shallow flooding within the 100-year floodplain or SFHA. No BFEs have been established, but a depth of flooding from one to three feet has. Most AO flood zones within Jacksonville are designated to flood two feet. Flood insurance is mandatory. FEMA Elevation Certificates are required for construction within these areas. An Elevation Certificate is required prior to the slab inspection and a second Elevation Certificate is required at the time of final construction, prior to the final inspection.
VE
Areas within the 100-year coastal floodplain or SFHA that also have additional hazards associated with storm waves. BFEs have been established. Flood insurance is mandatory. Prior to approval of construction within a VE zone, the developer must demonstrate that any structures built will be able to withstand the wave action. A V Zone Certificate will be required and a Non-Conversion Agreement may be required. An Elevation Certificate is required prior to the slab inspection and a second Elevation Certificate is required at the time of final construction, prior to the final inspection.
Floodway
Areas within the 100-year floodplain or SFHA that should be left intact. This also includes a Floodway setback of twentyfive feet (25′). Construction and filling within these areas is severely restricted. BFEs have been established. If construction is allowed within a floodway, flood insurance will be mandatory. A no-rise certification and FEMA Elevation Certificates are required for construction within these areas. The no-rise certification is required prior to construction. An Elevation Certificate is required prior to the slab inspection and a second Elevation Certificate is required at the time of final construction, prior to the final inspection.
Shaded X (0.2 Percent Annual Flood Hazard)
Areas outside the 100-year floodplain or SFHA but within the 500-year floodplain. BFEs have not been established and flood insurance is not mandatory. An Elevation Certificate may be required to confirm that the structure meets the requirements of the City’s Floodplain Ordinance. Currently, this ordinance requires a Design Flood Elevation (DFE) of two feet (2′) above the highest Base Flood Elevation (BFE) located on the property.
D
Areas where there are possible but undetermined flood hazards. In areas designated as Zone D, no analysis of flood hazards has been conducted. Flood insurance is not mandatory, but coverage is available. The flood insurance rates for properties in Zone D are commensurate with the uncertainty of the flood risk. Construction within these areas is evaluated on a case by case basis.
AH
Areas of 100-year shallow flooding with a constant water-surface elevation (usually areas of ponding) where average depths are between 1 and 3 feet. The BFEs derived from the detailed hydraulic analyses are shown at selected intervals within this zone. Flood insurance is mandatory. FEMA Elevation Certificates are required for construction within these areas. An Elevation Certificate is required prior to the slab inspection and a second Elevation Certificate is required at the time of final construction, prior to the final inspection.
Key Differences
- Scope:
- Flood Zones are specific areas with defined flood risk levels, often used for insurance and regulatory purposes.
- Floodplains encompass broader areas that can be affected by flooding, regardless of specific flood zone designations.
- Purpose:
- Flood Zones help determine flood insurance requirements and inform property owners about their flood risk.
- Floodplains are important for urban planning, environmental management, and understanding natural water flow patterns.
- Regulatory Implications:
- Properties in highrisk flood zones (like Zone A) may be required to carry flood insurance, especially if they have federally backed mortgages.
- While properties in floodplains may also face flood risks, they may not be subject to the same insurance requirements unless they fall within a designated flood zone.
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