Do you know your flood risk?

TAMPA - Anywhere it rains, it can flood. A flood is a general and temporary condition where two or more acres of normally dry land or two or more properties are inundated by water or mudflow. Many conditions can result in a flood: hurricanes, broken levees, outdated or clogged drainage systems and rapid accumulation of rainfall.

Just because you haven’t experienced a flood in the past, doesn’t mean you won’t in the future. Flood risk isn’t just based on history, it’s also based on a number of factors: rainfall, river-flow and tidal-surge data, topography, flood-control measures, and changes due to building and development.

Find out more about flooding at the official site of the National Flood Insurance Program, FloodSmart.gov

You can find your flood risk and if you need insurance.

Flood-hazard maps have been created to show different degrees of risk for your community, which help determine the cost of flood insurance. The lower the degree of risk, the lower the flood insurance premium.

Note:  Flood Maps are NOT THE SAME thing as evacuation maps.

Contact you local emergency management office, building department or floodplain management office for information. Visit your town or city hall where building permit employees have access to flood maps.  Learn about Flood Insurance Rate Maps online, or order a flood map from FEMA's Map Service for a fee by calling 800 358-9616.

See which flood zone you live in. Zone V is the most hazardous; average insurance in this area is $1,000 annually and is mandatory. Zone A is the next most volatile area and is typically near a lake or other body of water. Flood insurance is mandatory and is, on average, about $500 annually. Zone X (B &C on older maps) is an area with minimal risk and insurance is not mandatory. Flood insurance in this area may be as low as $100-$300 per year. D zones have not been studied.