Destin Florida Flood Zones

Here is some additional information as a follow-up to, Destin Flood Insurance – Do I Need It?

SPECIAL FLOOD HAZARD AREAS (SFHAs)
The 1% annual chance flood (100-year flood), also known as the base flood, is the flood that has a 1% chance of being equaled or exceeded in any given year. Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHAs) are areas subject to inundation by the 1% Annual Chance Flood. The Base Flood Elevation (BFE) is the water-surface elevation of the 1% annual chance flood. Areas of Special Flood Hazard include Zones A, AE, AH, AR, V, and VE.

FLOOD ZONE CATEGORIES
Zone A –   No Base Flood Elevation determined

Zone AE –   Base Flood Elevations determined

Zone AH –   Flood depths of 1 to 3 feet, usually areas of ponding; Base Flood Elevations determinedZone AO –   Flood depths of 1 to 3 feet, usually sheet flow on sloping terrain; Average depths determined. For areas of alluvial fan flooding, velocities also determined

Zone AR –   Special Flood Hazard Area formerly protected from the 1% annual chance flood by a flood control system that was subsequently decertified. Zone AR indicates that the former flood control system is being restored to provide protection from the 1% annual chance or greater flood.

Zone A99 –   Areas protected from the 1% annual chance flood by a Federal flood Protection system under construction; No Base Flood Elevations determined

Zone VE –   Coastal flood zone with velocity hazard, wave action; Base Flood Elevations determined

FLOODWAY AREAS IN ZONE AE
The floodway is the channel of a stream plus any adjacent floodplain areas that must be kept free of encroachment so that the 1% annual chance flood can be carried without substantial increase to flood height.

OTHER FLOOD AREAS
Shaded Zone X –   Areas of 0.2% annual chance flood; areas of 1% annual chance flood with average depths of less than 1 foot, or drainage areas less than 1 square mile; and areas protected by levees from 1% annual chance flood.

OTHER AREAS
Zone X –   Areas determined to be outside the 0.2% annual chance floodplain.

Zone D –   Areas in which flood hazards are undetermined, but possible.