FEMA Flood Zones Draft Revisions

Proposed maps are working drafts and subject to change.

View interactive map of the Draft FIRM Maps

Download the Draft FIRM Maps (PDF)

For the map revision project schedule, please visit the Northwest Florida Water Management District’s Flood Information Portal. 

Flood hazard areas identified on the Flood Insurance Rate Map are identified as a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA). SFHA are defined as the area that will be inundated by the flood event having a 1-percent chance of being equaled or exceeded in any given year. The 1-percent annual chance flood is also referred to as the base flood or 100-year flood. SFHAs are labeled as Zone A, Zone AO, Zone AH, Zones A1-A30, Zone AE, Zone A99, Zone AR, Zone AR/AE, Zone AR/AO, Zone AR/A1-A30, Zone AR/A, Zone V, Zone VE, and Zones V1-V30. Moderate flood hazard areas, labeled Zone B or Zone X (shaded) are also shown on the FIRM, and are the areas between the limits of the base flood and the 0.2-percent-annual-chance (or 500-year) flood. The areas of minimal flood hazard, which are the areas outside the SFHA and higher than the elevation of the 0.2-percent-annual-chance flood, are labeled Zone C or Zone X (unshaded). The SFHA designations which appear within Bay County are explained further below.

A - Areas with a 1% annual chance of flooding and a 26% chance of flooding over the life of a 30  year mortgage. Because detailed analyses are not performed for such areas; no depths or base flood elevations are shown within these zones. 

AE - The base floodplain where base flood elevations are provided.

AH - Areas with a 1% annual chance of shallow flooding, usually in the form of a pond, with an average depth ranging from 1 to 3 feet. These areas have a 26% chance of flooding over the life of a 30 ‐ year mortgage. Base flood elevations derived from detailed analyses are shown at selected intervals within these zones.

AO - River or stream flood hazard areas, and areas with a 1% or greater chance of shallow flooding each year, usually in the form of sheet flow, with an average depth ranging from 1 to 3 feet. These areas have a 26% chance of flooding over the life of a 30  year mortgage. Average flood depths derived from detailed analyses are shown within these zones. 

VE - Coastal areas with a 1% or greater chance of flooding and an additional hazard associated with storm waves. These areas have a 26% chance of flooding over the life of a 30  year mortgage. Base flood elevations derived from detailed analyses are shown at selected intervals within these zones.

For more information contact Wayne Porter at 850-248-8250