Frequently Asked Questions

Through the National Flood Insurance Program, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) identifies flood hazard areas nationwide through a series of Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs). A Flood Insurance Rate Map, or FIRM, is an official map of a community on which FEMA has delineated special hazard areas and the risk premium zones applicable to the community.

A Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA), is a high-risk area defined as any land that would be inundated by a flood having a 1% chance of occurring in a given year (also referred to as the base flood). This area may be more commonly known to some as the 100 year floodplain.

Queen Anne’s County regulates development within the floodplain through the Planning and Zoning permitting process. Standards established for development within an Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) constitute a reasonable compromise between the need for building restrictions to minimize potential loss of life and property and the economic benefits to be derived from floodplain development. Development may take place within an SFHA, provided that development complies with the county’s Floodplain Ordinance, which is established in accordance with Federal requirements and local interests.

Flood insurance is required for insurable structures within Special Flood Hazasrd Areas (SFHA) to protect lenders and federal financial investments and assistance used for acquisition and / or construction purposes within communities participating in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).

Call 1-800-427-4661 or visit FloodSmart.gov to learn more.

Maryland’s DFIRM Outreach Program and FEMA's Map Service Center guide property owners and communities through the process of determining their current flood risk as well as future flood risk based on the Preliminary FIRM.