The different types of Flood Hazard Area Types are listed below.
Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA): The base floodplain displayed on FEMA maps, inclusive of A and V zones.
Zone A: This is the 100-year floodplain. The Special Flood Hazard Area (except coastal V Zones) is shown on a community's Flood Insurance Rate Map.
Zone A: SFHA, where no base flood elevation is provided.
Zone A#: Numbered A Zones (e.g., A7 or A14), SFHA, where the FIRM shows a base flood elevation in relation to NGVD.
Zone AE: SFHA, where base flood elevations are provided. AE Zone delineations are now used on new FIRMs instead of A# Zones.
Zone AO: SFHA with sheet flow, ponding, or shallow flooding. Base flood depths (feet above grade) are provided.
Zone AH: Shallow flooding SFHA. Base flood elevations in relation to NGVD are provided.
Zone B: Area of moderate flood hazard, usually depicted on Flood Insurance Rate Maps as between the limits of the base and 500-year floods. B Zones are also used to designate base floodplains of little hazard, such as those with average depths of less than 1 foot. This is the 500-year floodplain.
Zone C: Area of minimal flood hazard, usually depicted on Flood Insurance Rate Maps as above the 500-year flood level. B and C Zones may have flooding that does not meet the criteria to be mapped as a Special Flood Hazard Area, especially ponding and local drainage problems.
Zone D: The Zone D designation is used for areas where there are possible but undetermined flood hazards, as no analysis of flood hazards has been conducted.
Zone V: The Special Flood Hazard Area is subject to coastal high-hazard flooding. There are three types of V Zones: V, V#, and VE, which correspond to the A Zone designations.
Zone X: Newer Flood Insurance Rate Maps show Zones B and C (see above) as Zone X.
