Flood zones
Use FEMA and local flood maps to check mapped flood zones. Drainage and flooding can vary block by block, including outside mapped zones.
Check flood hazards near you.
Open FEMA's map, then check your local forecast and evacuation zone.
Use it for planning, not orders
Check mapped hazards: FEMA maps show flood zones, not this storm's forecast or your evacuation zone.
Check current impacts: use NHC, your local NWS office, and emergency management for storm-specific guidance.
Act early: verify routes, shelter options, and your household supplies before conditions deteriorate.
Open the official flood map
Use FEMA's built-in address search and legend to understand mapped hazards. Check official forecasts and evacuation guidance separately.
Official FEMA flood map
Open FEMA's current National Flood Hazard Layer Viewer and use its built-in address search and legend. Check current forecasts and local evacuation instructions separately.
Look up your location in FEMA's viewer
The official map opens in a new tab so you can search an address, inspect the layers, and read the zone details at full size.
Read the zone designation
- A zones, including AE, AH, and AO
- Special Flood Hazard Areas with a 1% annual chance of flooding. AO includes shallow flooding, often sheet flow.
- V and VE
- Special Flood Hazard Areas with coastal wave hazards.
- X, shaded or unshaded
- Shaded X generally indicates moderate flood hazard; unshaded X indicates minimal mapped hazard. Flooding can occur in either area.
Use the viewer's own legend and confirm map coverage, effective date, and property location. FEMA flood zone reference
Check each hazard separately
Hurricane category describes sustained wind. It cannot tell you the rainfall, storm surge, flood depth, or outage duration at your address. Tropical storms and remnants can also bring dangerous flooding far inland.
NHC hurricane hazard guidanceMake a plan before conditions worsen
Check your official evacuation zone and routes, shelter options, medications, water, and ways to receive alerts. If officials order evacuation, follow their instructions. Supplies and backup power do not make an unsafe location safe.
Open hurricane checklistReview your supplies
Start with what you already own and fill gaps for your household’s needs.
Use this map with the rest of the site
Use official tracking, regional planning, and an emergency kit checklist together.
Storm surge
Storm surge is driven by storm size, path, speed, tide, coastline shape, and local elevation. Always follow evacuation authorities.
Power outages
Outage risk is not only storm category. Trees, grid design, ground saturation, and restoration access all matter.