What is a floodplain, and what is a flood?

FEMA defines a floodplain as a land area that is susceptible to being inundated by flood waters from any source.

As compared to a floodplain, FEMA defines a flood as a general and temporary condition of partial or complete inundation of two or more acres of normally dry land area, or two or more properties from overflow of inland waters, from unusual and rapid accumulation or runoff of surface waters from any source or from mudflow.


Show All Answers

1. What is the Federal Emergency Management Agency?
2. What is a Floodway?
3. What is a floodplain, and what is a flood?
4. What is the National Flood Insurance Program?
5. What is a Flood Insurance Rate Map? What is the importance of a Special Flood Hazard Area and what are flood zones?
6. What is the probability of flooding within a 100-year floodplain?
7. Is there really a need for flood insurance?
8. My house is in a Floodplain? What do I need to do?
9. Who has to buy Flood Insurance?
10. What is a Preferred Risk Policy? Can this save property owners money?
11. What is an elevation Certificate?