Base Flood Elevation (BFE)

The elevation shown on the Flood Insurance Rate Map for Zones AE, AH, A1-A30, AR, AO, V1-V30, and VE that indicates the water surface elevation resulting from a flood that has a one percent chance of equaling or exceeding that level in any given year.

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, A1-A30

Areas with a 1% annual chance of flooding and a 26% chance of flooding over the life of a 30-year mortgage. In most instances, base flood elevations derived from detailed analyses are shown at selected intervals within these zones.

AH

Areas with a 1% annual chance of flooding and a 26% chance of flooding over the life of a 30-year mortgage. Usually areas of ponding with flood depths of 1 to 3 feet. Base Flood Elevations are determined.

AO

Areas with a 1% annual chance of flooding and a 26% chance of flooding over the life of a 30-year mortgage. Usually areas of sheet flow on sloping terrain with flood depths of 1 to 3 feet.Base Flood Elevations are determined.

Supplemental Information:

10%-chance flood elevations (10-year flood-risk elevations) and 50%-chance flood elevations (2-year flood-risk elevations), are calculated during detailed flooding studies but are not shown on  FEMA Digital Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs). They have been provided as supplemental information in the Flood Information section of this report.

AE FW (FLOODWAYS)

The channel of a river or other watercourse and the adjacent land areas that must be reserved in order to discharge the base flood (1% annual chance flood event). The floodway must be kept open so that flood water can proceed downstream and not be obstructed or diverted onto other properties.

Please note, if you develop within the regulatory floodway, you will need to contact your Local Government and the Suwannee River Water Management District prior to commencing with the activity. Please contact the District at 800.226.1066.

VE

Areas with a 1% annual chance of flooding over the life of a 30-year mortgage with additional hazards due to storm-induced velocity wave action. Base Flood Elevations (BFEs) derived from detailed analyses.

X 0.2 PCT (X Shaded, 0.2 PCT ANNUAL

CHANCE FLOOD HAZARD)

Same as Zone X; however, detailed studies have been performed, and the area has been determined to be within the 0.2 percent annual chance floodplain (also known as the 500-year flood zone). Insurance purchase is not required in this zone but is available at a reduced rate and is recommended.

X

All areas outside the 1-percent annual chance floodplain are Zone X.  This includes areas of 1% annual chance sheet flow flooding where average depths are less than 1 foot, areas of 1% annual chance stream flooding where the contributing drainage area is less than 1 square mile, or areas protected from the 1% annual chance flood by levees. No Base Flood Elevations or depths are shown within this zone. Insurance purchase is not required in these zones.

LINKS

FEMA:

http://www.fema.gov

SRWMD:

http://www.srwmd.state.fl.us

CONTACT

SRWMD

9225 County Road 49

Live Oak, FL 32060

(386) 362-1001

Toll Free:

(800) 226-1066