In Florida, downpours, hurricanes and storm surges meet low lying land. Flooding comes with the territory, making it essential for homeowners to understand FEMA flood maps and their home’s risk.
These maps outline the flood risks by area, directly affecting insurance rates, building codes, property risks, and personal safety. If you own a home in Florida, knowing when and why FEMA updates these maps can help you prepare for changes in flood zones and adjust hurricane plans accordingly.
Why FEMA Flood Maps are Important for Florida Residents
Florida’s rain showers can create flash floods. And severe weather, such as hurricanes and storm surge can bring flooding. Staying informed is essential for anyone living in the Sunshine State, both along the coastline and inland.
FEMA’s Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) outline flood potential countrywide. They’re vital in Florida, where hurricane season increases flooding risk. For those living in areas prone to hurricanes, storm surges, and floods, the data on these maps could be the difference between being prepared or not.
Here is why Florida residents should be aware of FEMA flood maps:
- Insurance Premiums and Coverage. Federally back mortgages require flood insurance if you home is in a high-risk zone. So you should be aware if flood insurance is required when you have a mortgage. This is because it can add several hundred to thousands of dollars to your annual expenses. Floridians in high-risk areas pay an average of $600 to $2,000 annually, depending on elevation and specific risks.
- Marketability and Property Value. A home’s location on the FEMA flood map may have some impact on its appeal in terms of real estate. Properties in high-risk zones may be more challenging to sell (certain buyers may not want a house in a flood zone). At the same time those outside high-risk zones may become more desirable if flooding is prevalent.
- Building Codes and Renovations. Building in a high-risk zone means building code requirements, extra permit hoops, and specific renovation requirements.
Factors that Influence FEMA’s Map Update Schedule
FEMA’s goal is to update flood maps every five years. However, this may not always happen as focus may shift to more affected areas. Several factors drive FEMA flood map updates.
For instance, development and urban growth are significant influences. Rapidly developing areas, like Miami and Tampa, have frequent construction that changes water drainage patterns, potentially making them more prone to flooding. FEMA updates quicker to accommodate high-growth areas in order to keep maps relevant to new communities that could be affected.
Other influential factors include:
- Technological Improvements. Mapping tech has improved since the early 1970s. New tools, like Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR), help FEMA create a detailed topographic map, making flood maps more accurate. Newer tech warrants more frequent updates for flood-prone areas.
- Climate and Sea-Level Changes. Rising sea levels and shifting rainfall patterns influence FEMA flood models. In Florida, sea levels have risen 8 inches since 1950 and continue to change. The rising tides and heavier rains mean today’s low risk zones could be flood zones in the future.
- Federal and State Funding. Like most government projects, FEMA flood maps hinge on budget. Updates are prioritized based on risk and funding, so some regions with higher flood risk and more funding dedicated will see faster updates (or updates on schedule).
What Do Map Updates Mean for Your Flood Zone and Insurance?
When FEMA rolls out an updated flood map, your property status could change. Suddenly, you may be in a high-risk zone where flood insurance is necessary. On average, flood insurance policies for high-risk areas in Florida can cost anywhere from $600 to $2,000 annually, while low-risk zones are typically $300 to $400 annually. The costs vary widely based on many factors, such as risk, your home value, elevation certificate, etc.
While living in a low-risk zones doesn’t require you to have flood insurance coverage, many Florida homeowners choose to maintain a policy. This is because of FEMA flood map updates and unpredictable weather.
Staying informed about FEMA flood map updates helps you anticipate insurance coverage changes so you can prepare to protect yourself from the increased risk.
How to Adjust Your Hurricane Plan After FEMA Flood Map Updates
1. Know Your Elevation. FEMA’s maps show elevation levels that influence flood risk. If a map update moves your home into a higher-risk zone, consider obtaining insurance, adding flood barriers, and taking more preventative measures.
2. Revise Emergency Supplies. Adjust your emergency supplies based on your updated flood zone. High-risk zones may need more waterproof supplies, such as storage, life vests, and emergency water pumps.
3. Plan Multiple Evacuation Routes. Flooding can make main roads impassable. If your risk is increased, map out alternate routes and keep them updated on your phone and vehicle’s GPS.
4. Check Your Insurance Coverage. Your policy should align with a new flood risk. Flood insurance policies have a 30-day waiting period, so if a FEMA update places you in a higher-risk zone, act immediately to avoid coverage gaps.
Stay One Step Ahead with Eurex Shutters
Floods, hurricanes, rising sea levels—Florida faces annual dangers, but as FEMA’s flood maps change and zones shift, having a solid hurricane plan is crucial. Protecting your home means more than knowing your flood risk; it means preparing for every storm season with an unshakeable defense.
Eurex Shutters can help!
With durable, storm-tested shutters that withstand Florida’s worst weather, Eurex Shutters gives homeowners peace of mind to protect your home and family vs hurricane season.
Sources:
https://alliedinsgroup.net/fema-map-changes-require-policy-adjustments
https://www.wusf.org/news/2019-03-26/fema-flood-maps-are-changing-what-you-need-to-know
