What is a floodplain?
A floodplain is the part of the land where water collects, pools, and flows during stormwater runoff events. Such areas are classified as Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHA), and are located in a 100-year flood zone.


The term “100-year flood” can be misleading. It is not the flood event which occurs only once in a 100-year time span. Rather, it is a flood discharge that has a 1% chance of being equaled or exceeded each year. The 100-year flood could occur more than once in a relatively short period of time


The 100-year flood zone is used by the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) as the standard for floodplain management to determine flood risk. For example, a structure located in a 100-year floodplain has a 26% chance of suffering flood damage during the term of a 30-year mortgage.

Show All Answers

1. What is a floodplain?
2. Is my property in a floodplain?
3. What do the terms Base Flood Elevation & Regulatory Flood Elevation mean?
4. What is an Elevation Certificate (EC)?
5. How do I get an Elevation Certificate (EC) for my building?
6. I would like to install a driveway and/or culvert to access my property. Do I need an encroachment permit?
7. Utility locating and marking is required by law. How do I request it?