Decoding Zones: Flood, Evacuation, and Storm Surge Zones

Florida Division of Emergency Management's (FDEM) Forerunner Public Website displays several map layers to help you understand your risks due to hazardous events, including flood zones, evacuation zones, and storm surge zones. While they may sound similar, each of these zones is different and measures conditions that may not occur at the same time. Even if you are not located in one of these zones, you still may have some risk of a flood or storm surge.

• Flood Zones shown on Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRM) represent the probability and impact of flooding on an area and are used to determine regulatory and insurance requirements.
• Evacuation Zones are areas that are most likely to be evacuated and are used by communities to issue evacuation orders.
• Storm Surge Zones identify the areas at risk of storm surge based on the tide cycle and the strength of a projected storm, ranging from a tropical storm to a Category 5 hurricane.

You do not have to live in a floodplain to experience a flood or storm surge from a hurricane or other event.

Note: Please pay careful attention when viewing flood map layers. The Evacuation Zones Map and Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) contain zones with the same name (e.g., Zone A), but the zones have different meanings relative to their respective maps.

What are Flood Zones?

FEMA identifies flood hazard areas on FIRMs. FEMA and communities use FIRMs to assess mandatory flood insurance, building code, and floodplain management requirements. FIRMs help communities understand their collective risk. Property owners, insurance agents, and lenders can also use flood maps to determine flood insurance requirements.

For more information on viewing flood zones on FDEM's Forerunner public site, visit: fdem-forerunner-help-center.helpscoutdocs.com/article/decoding-zones

What Are Evacuation Zones?

The Evacuation Zones Map displays evacuation zones from FDEM's Know your Zone, Know your Home map. The areas and buildings depicted in these zones are most likely to be evacuated. Knowing these zones helps Floridians prepare to evacuate and better understand orders from local officials.

For information on viewing evacuation zones on FDEM's Forerunner public site, visit fdem-forerunner-help-center.helpscoutdocs.com/article/135-evacuation-zones-map

What Are Storm Surge Zones?

The FDEM Storm Surge Zones Map displays layers from regional evacuation studies and are intended for general reference. These layers are meant to provide emergency management officials with realistic data by quantifying the major factors in hurricane evacuation decision making.

For information on viewing storm surge zones on FDEM's Forerunner public site, visit fdem-forerunner-help-center.helpscoutdocs.com/article/134-storm-surge-zones-map