Understanding the flood risk associated with your property is crucial for homeowners, buyers, and builders. Flooding can cause significant damage, and knowing your Base Flood Elevation (BFE) is the first step in mitigating potential risks. FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) provides resources to help you determine the flood hazard information relevant to your address. The “What Is My BFE?” tool is designed to make this process straightforward, allowing you to compare effective and revised FEMA flood data for your location.
This guide will walk you through how to use the “What Is My BFE?” tool to quickly find flood information for your property.
Understanding Base Flood Elevation (BFE)
Base Flood Elevation (BFE) is the estimated elevation to which floodwater is anticipated to rise during a base flood. A base flood, also known as a 1-percent-annual-chance flood, has a 1% chance of occurring in any given year. Knowing your BFE is vital because it’s used to determine building requirements and flood insurance rates in high-risk flood areas. FEMA uses Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) to delineate flood risk areas and BFEs.
How to Use the “What Is My BFE?” Tool
The “What Is My BFE?” tool simplifies the process of accessing FEMA flood data. Follow these three easy steps to get the information you need:
Step 1: Enter Your Address
Navigate to the “What Is My BFE?” tool and locate the address field. Enter your property address into the provided field. Once you’ve entered your address, click the “Get Details” button to initiate the search.
Step 2: Verify Location on the Map
After clicking “Get Details,” the tool will display a map with a blue marker. This marker indicates the location based on the address you entered. It’s important to ensure the marker accurately pinpoints your building. If the blue marker isn’t directly on your building, simply click on your building on the map. A red marker will then appear, and the tool will refresh to provide information specific to that precise location.
Step 3: Review the Flood Hazard Report
Below the map, the tool will generate a report. This report contains essential flood hazard information for the address you entered, presenting both the effective and the revised flood data from FEMA. Hyperlinked text within the report provides access to glossary definitions, which open in a new window, helping you understand specific terms related to flood risk and FEMA’s mapping.
Note: For users with accessibility needs, assistance in identifying and interpreting flood information is available by calling 1-800-427-4661.
Disclaimer: The information provided by this tool is based on the marker’s location and is not a definitive official determination. Address location accuracy is not guaranteed to be 100%. For official determinations and detailed discussions about flood elevations and zones, especially before reconstruction or building, it is essential to consult your local floodplain administrator. This tool is not intended for flood insurance rating purposes. Always verify mandatory elevations and construction requirements with local government officials before building.
Estimated Ground Elevations: Additional Insights
For certain locations, the report may also include an estimated ground elevation for buildings. This estimation is derived from detailed topographic data used in preliminary FIRMs and building footprint information from various sources. To ensure this estimated ground elevation appears in your report, it is crucial to click directly on your building on the locator map. If you don’t click directly on the building, the report will display ‘N/A’ for ground elevation.
Sources for estimated ground elevation data include:
- Topographic data used for preliminary FIRMs.
- Building footprint data for New York City (Department of Information Technology and Telecommunications).
- Building footprint data for Monmouth County, and parts of Bergen, Essex, and Hudson County, New Jersey.
- Parcel boundary information for various counties in New Jersey.
- Building footprint data for Westchester County, New York (Westchester County GIS Agency).
Understanding ‘N/A’ Results
If the “What Is My BFE?” tool report shows ‘N/A’ for all fields, it generally indicates one of two scenarios:
- No Updated FEMA Data: FEMA flood hazard data has not been updated for the community in question.
- Property Not in Updated Flood Zone: Updated FEMA data exists, but the specific property you searched for is not located within an updated flood zone.
Updated FEMA data has been released for communities including Westchester County, New York, New York City, and various counties in New Jersey. If your property is within these areas and you still receive ‘N/A’ results, it’s likely your property is not in an updated flood zone. However, consulting with your local floodplain administrator is always recommended to confirm and fully understand your property’s flood risk. Even if your property is not in a designated flood zone, consider flood insurance, especially if you are near a flood zone, to protect against potential flood damage.
Utilizing the Report Information
The information from the “What Is My BFE?” tool report is valuable for several purposes:
- Local Building and Permitting Discussions: Use the report information when meeting with local building and permitting authorities to discuss specific building requirements for your property. Building codes and regulations vary by community, and this information is a crucial starting point.
- Reducing Flood Risk: Aim to elevate your home’s lowest floor above the higher of either the updated FEMA flood elevation or the BFE shown on your community’s effective FIRM. This measure significantly reduces flood risk and can potentially lower future flood insurance premiums.
- Exploring Risk Reduction Strategies: Refer to resources like the Reducing Your Risk page for more ways to protect your property from flooding. The Recovery Toolkit for Property Owners is also a helpful resource, particularly for those rebuilding after events like Hurricane Sandy.
- Understanding Flood Insurance Implications: Once preliminary flood hazard information becomes final, it will affect flood insurance premiums. Consult your insurance agent to understand how changes in flood zones or elevations might impact your flood insurance requirements and costs.
For further questions or comments, contact the National Flood Insurance Program Help Center at 1-800-427-4661 or visit the Contacts page to find the appropriate expert.
