What does my flood zone mean? Everyone lives in an area with some flood risk—it’s just a question of whether you live in a high-risk, low-risk, or moderate-risk flood area. Flood zones are indicated in a community’s flood map. Each flood zone describes the flood risk for a particular area, and those flood zones are used to determine insurance requirements and costs. Know your property’s flood risk. To find your community’s flood map, visit the Flood Map Service Center and search using your property’s address. No matter where you live or work, some risk of flooding exists. Learn more about your flood risk and secure the insurance protection you need to protect your home and financial security. Moderate- to low-risk flood areas are designated with the letters B, C, and X on FEMA flood maps. In these areas, the risk of being flooded is reduced, but not completely removed. One in four insurance claims come from moderate- to low-risk flood areas. Property owners in moderate- to low-risk areas are eligible for lower-cost flood insurance, known as Preferred Risk Policies (PRPs). Premiums start at less than $325 a year. High-risk flood areas begin with the letters A or V on FEMA flood maps. These areas face the highest risk of flooding. If you own a property in a high-risk zone and have a federally backed mortgage, you are required to purchase flood insurance as a condition of that loan.