#Fema flood zone maps galveston county free#

In order to qualify for flood insurance, the home or business must be in a community that has joined the NFIP and agreed to enforce sound floodplain management standards. Costs vary depending on how much insurance is purchased, what it covers and the property's flood risk.NFIP is administered by FEMA, which works closely with more than 80 private insurance companies to offer flood insurance to homeowners, renters, and business owners.įlood insurance is available to homeowners, renters, condo owners/renters, and commercial owners/renters. Flood insurance rates reflect the uncertainty of the flood risk.These areas are shown on flood maps or areas beginning with the letter 'D.Some flood maps also include areas where there are possible but undetermined flood hazards or unstudied areas. These areas submit more than 20 percent of National Flood Insurance Program claims and receive one-third of federal disaster assistance for flooding.įlood insurance isn't federally required in moderate- to- low-risk areas, but it is recommended for all property owners and renters.Moderate- to low-risk areas are shown on flood maps as zones beginning with the letters 'B', 'C' or 'X' ( or a shaded X).The risk of flooding is reduced, but not completely removed.Non-Special Flood Hazard Areas are moderate-to-low risk areas. There is at least a 1 in 4 chance of flooding during a 30-year mortgage in high-risk areas.Īll home and business owners in high-risk areas with mortgages from federally regulated or insured lenders are required to buy flood insurance.They are shown on the flood maps as zones beginning with the letters 'A' or 'V.'.Special Flood Hazard Areas are high-risk areas.

#Fema flood zone maps galveston county free#

FIRMs are available to the public free of charge through the FEMA Flood MapService Center at.FEMA uses FIRMs to help determine what you should pay for flood insurance.Flood maps, known officially as Flood Insurance Rate Maps, show areas of high- and moderate- to low-flood risk.Ĭommunities use the maps to set minimum building requirements for coastal areas and floodplains lenders use them to determine flood insurance requirements. Follow FEMA Region 9 online at /femaregion9 or view more news releases at /fema-regions/region-ix. City of Bakersfield Development Services can be reached at (661) 326-3720 or (661) 326-3607.įEMA’s mission is helping people before, during, and after disasters. In total, 98% of counties have experienced a flood event, which makes floods the most common and widespread of all weather-related natural disasters.įor more information, visit the Kern County website at /building-and-development/floodplain-management or contact the county at (661) 862-5083 or (661) 862-5071. Risk of flooding affects almost every corner of the nation. To view the preliminary FIRMs, visit /preliminaryfloodhazarddata. FEMA encourages residents to review the preliminary flood maps to learn about local flood risks, potential future flood insurance requirements, and identify any concerns or questions about the information provided. The local mapping project is part of a nationwide effort led by FEMA to increase local knowledge of flood risks and support actions to address and reduce the effects of flooding on new and improved structures. FEMA, Kern County, and the city of Bakersfield worked together to collect new or updated flood hazard data to revise the flood maps and reflect these changes, which may also affect building or insurance requirements.

During that time, individuals with technical and scientific information, such as detailed hydraulic or hydrologic data, can appeal the flood risk information on the preliminary maps.įlood hazards are dynamic and change frequently for many reasons, including weather patterns, erosion, and community development. New maps identify the current flood hazards and provide data to help building officials, contractors, and homeowners make effective mitigation decisions, thereby contributing to safer and more resilient communities.īefore the new Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) become effective, there is a 90-day appeal period from Aug. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is updating flood maps along Lake Isabella and the Kern River around Bakersfield.