

By identifying high-risk zones like the 100-year floodplain, builders, developers, homeowners, and business owners can know which areas are safe for buildings and structures, and which areas should be avoided.įEMA offers floodplain management tools and resources to help communities adhere to guidelines for floodplain management. It includes requirements for zoning, building codes, and floodplain ordinances – all designed to facilitate safer, more resilient communities.įlood maps help communities know where the greatest areas of flood risks are, so they can plan and prepare accordingly. The other two types are the floodway, which is a no-build zone that regularly fills with floodwater, and the 500-year floodplain, which is a moderate-to-low-risk zone with a 6% chance of flooding over a span of 30 years.įEMA has minimum standards for floodplains to help communities prepare for floods and mitigate risk for flood disasters. It is one of three types of floodplains designated by the Federal Emergency Management Association (FEMA). It features flat, low-lying land near the water source (river, lake) that, during the 100-year flood event, is covered in floodwater. The 100-year floodplain is considered a high-risk floodplain zone that surrounds the waterways producing the 100-year flood. Environmental agencies, builders, and urban planners consider the 100-year flood when they set the bar that new developments and new construction within the floodplain will need to meet to withstand future floods. It is a larger-than-average flood, so the damage to property in its path is significant. It is a flood that has a 1-in-100 chance of being equaled or exceeded in any given year. No, a 100-year flood doesn't mean a flood that lasts 100 years or a flood that comes exactly once every 100 years. There are many misconceptions surrounding 100-year floods and 100-year floodplains. If you’ve experienced water damage to your property as a result of a flood and need emergency water damage restoration services, call your local Rainbow Restoration now at (855) 724-6269.ġ00-Year Floods: What Is a 100-Year Flood and Why Does It Matter?
