So Chris, How do I find out what my flood zone my house is in, if it is?
In Palm Beach county this is now very easy thanks to the folks in the GIS department at the county. Go to this web site…
Just enter your property address and presto. This tool reports the flood zone designation OF THE ZONE THAT TOUCHES YOUR PROPERTY AND THE “PENDING fLOOD ZONE”.
The Pending flood zone is based upon the maps proposed in Dec 2019. The adoption of those was put off due to COVID and (thanks in no small aprt to myself) the country contested the accuaracy of tose maps. And now in 2023 they are appealing the FEMA denial of the contention to basically a committee of scientists. ANYWAY with risk rating 2.0 the FIRM maps are NO LONGER used to price your flood insurance BUT they are still used by the banks to determine if they will require you to carry flood insurance. And they are used by the building department to determine how the proeprty can be built upon and/or rebuilt after a flood.
Be aware, just because a flood zone or a Special Flood Hazard Area touches your property, that does not necessarily mean your building is located within the flood zone. The link above STATES the flood zone of the lot is say an AE if the contour goes through the lot, but it MUST touch the structure. Please carefully note the structure’s location in relation to the SFHA boundaries shown in the viewer to determine whether or not your structure is located within a SFHA. If it’s in question then the building department will requir and elevation certificate from a surveyor.
If you reside in the unincorporated area and are uncertain please call the Palm Beach County Flood Information Hotline at 561-233-5374. If you reside in a municipality you should contact your local floodplain administrator.
Or, you can also use the FEMA Map Page.
