Floodplain & Flood Insurance Information

FEMA Updates Its Flood Insurance Rating Methodology to 
Deliver More Equitable Pricing 

FEMA has updated the National Flood Insurance Program's (NFIP) risk rating methodology through the implementation of a new pricing methodology called Risk Rating 2.0. The methodology leverages industry best practices and cutting-edge technology to enable FEMA to deliver rates that are actuarily sound, equitable, easier to understand and better reflect a property’s flood risk. 

FEMA requires some York County homeowners to carry flood insurance.  Floods can happen anywhere, and coastal communities such as York County are particularly vulnerable to the damage caused by flooding.  This map displays the areas in the County where FEMA requires homeowners to have flood insurance. 

Flood Zone Map

Current National Flood Insurance Program policyholders can contact their insurance company or insurance agent to learn more about what Risk Rating 2.0-Equity in Action means to them. 

  • In Phase I: New policies beginning Oct. 1, 2021 will be subject to the new rating methodology. Also beginning Oct. 1, existing policyholders eligible for renewal will be able to take advantage of immediate decreases in their premiums
  • In Phase II: All remaining policies renewing on or after April 1, 2022 will be subject to the new rating methodology. 

Please visit FEMA's website for more information, or read the Press Release.


This is an image of the FloodFluent.org logo

Are you Flood Fluent? 

Website Separates Fact from Fiction About Flooding in Hampton Roads

There are many misconceptions about flooding in Hampton Roads. An advisory group of municipal planners and emergency management staff representing 17 local Hampton Roads jurisdictions developed this go-to source to make residents aware of the indisputable facts associated with flooding in the region and encourage them to act responsibly by making sure their homes and businesses are covered by flood insurance.  GetFloodFluent.org is a region-wide public awareness campaign developed to help Hampton Roads residents separate fact from fiction about flooding in the region. The website, www.GetFloodFluent.org, educates about flood risks in Hampton Roads using easy-to-understand language, an interactive challenge to test their flooding fluency, video stories of local residents whose homes were devastated by local flooding, and lots of facts.  

Key facts should residents know about flooding in Hampton Roads 

  • Floods are the most common natural disasters, and anywhere it can rain, it can flood. In addition, it doesn’t even have to raining for flooding to occur; it can come from storm surge, high tides or high wind.  
  • Hampton Roads is surrounded by water, making our area especially susceptible to flooding, and the region is experiencing the highest rate of sea level rise on the East Coast.
  • If you live in a low-risk area for flooding, that doesn’t mean “no risk.” More than 1 in 5 claims to the National Flood Insurance Program in South Hampton Roads have been for properties outside of high-risk flood zones.
  • Flood damage to your home and property isn’t typically covered by homeowners or renters insurance.

Homeowners can contact their insurance agent to see if flooding insurance is offered. If it is, they should ask for a specific quote. If it isn’t and they would like a referral, they can contact the National Flood Insurance Program’s Help Center at 1-800-427-4611.  And remember, there is a 30-day waiting period before your flood insurance policy goes into effect. Once flooding starts, it’s too late.

York County FEMA Federal Insurance Rate Maps (FIRM)

York County's FEMA FIRM Maps dated January 16, 2015 are the maps now used by Insurance and Mortgage companies.  Check Property Information to see how this affects your property.

York County Ordinance Chapter 24.1 - 373 specifies requirements for development in the floodplain.

York County's original FEMA Federal Insurance Rate Maps (FIRM) is dated December 16, 1988. Any house built prior to that date without substantial improvements or additions is considered a Pre-Firm structure.

Flood Zone

To see the flood zone on your property and make a map of it go to the Property Information Search and complete the following steps:
  1. Enter Site
  2. Type in address and click search
  3. Click on the address to open up the details
  4. On the "Details" tab and the "Site Tab" Flood Zone designations and Base Flood Elevations for the property are shown
  5. On the "Map" tab, view the map of the property.
  6. On the Map Layer on the left side, check "Building" under "Property", and "Flood Zone" under "Environmental".
This will show the flood zones with buildings - you can zoom in or out for better detail.

If you want to print it, go back to the "Details" tab and select "Printer-Friendly".

View FEMA Maps

You can type in your address on that site, and make a FIRMETTE of the map over your property.

York County's mapping information is the same as FEMA's. Please keep in mind that these boundaries are approximate. It is always recommended that you obtain flood insurance if you are concerned about flooding even if you are not in an AE Flood Zone.

If your building is mapped in a AE Flood Zone but you don't think you really are, you can do a FEMA Letter of Map Amendment (LOMA). This information is also on their website but you will need to hire a surveyor to do an Elevation Certificate for your property. The surveyor can also do a LOMA for you.
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