Flood Risk
There are a number of tools available to help you identify your property’s flood risk. The two most commonly used, which are also integrated into Realtor.com, are the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) community flood maps and Flood Factor’s property-level risk assessments, a free online tool that makes it easy to learn about a property’s current and future risk. (Note, all these tools are diagnostic. Remember to contact your local government official for official guidance before making any decisions.)
Website
To identify your flood risk, enter the property's address into the search bar, go to the property's listing, and then navigate to the Neighborhoods section of the listing page.
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Yes, changes to riverine and coastal landscapes and climatic conditions can impact flood risk. Some river channels can change shape over time and can impact flood risk to nearby properties. This is called channel migration. Additionally, studies suggest precipitation patterns are changing, with wet areas becoming wetter and dry areas drier. Most studies conclude there will be an increase in the number of “extreme” events in the future, which include flooding. Many inland communities are already experiencing more intense storms and flooding with high rainfall amounts that occur over shorter periods of time, reducing the amount of rain that soaks in. Similarly, scientists estimate coastal communities may see sea levels rise from 1.5 to nearly 10 feet at various coastal locations in this century. Rises in sea level will magnify the risks of storm surge and high-tide flooding.
ASFPM's "Understanding and Managing Flood Risk: A Guide for Elected Officials"
FEMA flood zones are areas identified on a community’s flood map to describe the flood risk for that particular locale. They are used to determine insurance requirements and costs. To identify your flood zone, go to Realtor.com and type in your address and scroll down to the Neighborhoods section. To learn more about flood zones in general, visit the Understanding My Flood Zone page of FloodSmart.gov.
Your flood zone gives you an idea of your property’s flood risk, associated flood hazards, and the estimated severity of the flooding. Your flood zone as stated in the question above is used to determine insurance requirements and costs. Historically, the higher your risk of flooding as defined by your flood zone the higher your insurance premium. If you believe your home has been incorrectly designated high risk, you can appeal through FEMA to have the designation reviewed. To learn more about your flood zone and what you can do to change your flood zone designation, contact your local flood insurance agent and/or local government official.
Financial Assistance
There are a number of other financial assistance mechanisms for which you may be eligible if you are not eligible for federal assistance. Check out the financial assistance resource page.
Yes, there are a number of tax incentives for which you may be eligible. The National Park Service has compiled information on these mechanisms on their website including what to know before you apply, how to apply, and case study examples of the tax credits in use.
Religious and other faith-based 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations are eligible for any federal or other funding opportunity that includes non-profit organizations as an eligible applicant. While not directly eligible for any of the major federal hazard mitigation grant opportunities, religious non-profits may work with their local community to see if they might be included in the community’s subapplication. Religious and other faith-based 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations are eligible to receive post-disaster public assistance funds, when those funds are made available.
There are a number of financial assistance options available to individuals via government programs at all levels (federal, state, and local), financial institutions, land trusts, and nature conservancies. Please note for some federal and state financial assistance options the individual can only apply to the grant program via the community, and the application process can take as long as two years. Visit our page on individual financial assistance options to learn more.
There are a number of financial assistance options available to communities via government programs at all levels (federal, state, and local), financial institutions, land trusts, and nature conservancies. Please note for some federal financial assistance options the community can only apply to the grant program via the state, and the application process can take as long as two years. Visit the American Flood Coalition’s Flood Funding Finder to learn more.
Yes, if your community was part of a presidential disaster declaration, you may be eligible for special financial assistance not otherwise available. There are two types of disaster declarations: Emergency Declarations and Major Disaster Declarations. The type of declaration is determined by the size and scope of the disaster. Not all financial assistance programs are activated for every disaster. FEMA disaster assistance programs include individual assistance, public assistance, and hazard mitigation assistance; individual assistance is the only program from which individuals are eligible to directly receive funds. If your community has set up a recovery center, you can go there as a one-stop-shop to learn more about these and other financial assistance options for which you may be eligible.
If your building is insured through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) with a Standard Flood Insurance Policy (SFIP), Increased Cost of Compliance (ICC) coverage will help cover the costs of mitigation measures so the building is constructed in accordance with the latest state and local floodplain management ordinances or laws, up to $30,000. Acceptable mitigation measures are elevation, floodproofing (non-residential buildings), relocation, demolition, or any combination thereof. ICC claims apply to structures only, not building contents. To be eligible for ICC, your community building department must determine your structure to be substantially or repetitively damaged by flooding.
PDF Document
Miscellaneous
As you browse the mitigation strategies, you will see a filter for “DIY” or “professional” that you can toggle on and off. Additionally, each mitigation option page will say whether that option requires a professional or if you can do it yourself.
Everyone can do something to reduce their risk. While you may not be able to afford to undertake large scale, expensive mitigation projects, there are smaller, low- to no-cost actions you can take to reduce your flood risk. As you browse the mitigation strategies, you will see filters for “$” to “$$$$$” and for “DIY” that you can choose to limit your results to those that are less costly to implement.
Beyond our Purchase Flood Insurance page, FloodSmart.gov is the best resource to direct people to if they are looking to learn more about flood insurance. You may also recommend your client contact a local flood insurance agent to learn about specific flood insurance options and costs. (FloodSmart.gov includes an easy to access list of local flood insurance agents.)
If you are looking for additional mitigation resources, check out the ASFPM Library Flood Mitigation Collection.
Yes! We have crafted a series of sample posts that you can tailor as desired, and designed a series of images you can upload to accompany each post.
Please include the following in all your posts:
- ReduceFloodRisk.org
- #ReduceFloodRisk
- Appropriate ASFPM social media handle:
- Twitter: @FloodsOrg
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/ASFPM/
- LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/association-of-state-floodplain-managers-inc-
All sample posts include the website and hashtag but require you to add in the appropriate ASFPM social media handle depending on the platform to which you are posting.
Sample Posts & Images
Low risk doesn’t mean no risk. Learn what you can do to protect your property from flooding at ReduceFloodRisk.org #ReduceFloodRisk
New tool helps property owners, particularly those in flood-prone areas, understand their flood risk and the most effective flood mitigation strategies for their property. ReduceFloodRisk.org #ReduceFloodRisk
Think it won’t happen to you? 40% of federal flood insurance claims occur outside of high-risk areas. Visit ReduceFloodRisk.org #ReduceFloodRisk
Know your risk. Reduce your risk. ReduceFloodRisk.org features a flood mitigation decision-making tool from ASFPM to help you find the best options to protect your biggest investment. #ReduceFloodRisk
Ninety percent of natural disasters within the United States involve flooding. Take action now to protect your property from increasing flood risk. Visit ReduceFloodRisk.org #ReduceFloodRisk
Just one inch of water in your home can cause $25,000 in property damage. Learn what you can do to protect your property from flooding at ReduceFloodRisk.org #ReduceFloodRisk
Download social media images ZIP file [English & Spanish]
Promotional Video
See also:
Yes! If you are looking to share this resource with property owners or prospective buyers, we have PowerPoint slides with talking points, fact sheets, brochures, and more. If you have any ideas for additional types of resources not included here, please contact us.
Promotional Video
PowerPoint Presentation
Download PowerPoint presentation [English]
Download PowerPoint presentation [Spanish]
Trifold Brochure
Download trifold brochure [English]
Download trifold brochure [Spanish]
Postcards
Door Hanger
Download door hanger [English]
Download door hanger [Spanish]
Reduce Flood Risk Logos
Reduce Flood Risk QR Code
Download QR Code ZIP file (incl. SVG and PNG)
Press Releases
Reduce Flood Risk press release [English] (“New Tool Helps Property Owners Understand and Lower Flood Risk,” May 13, 2022)
Reduce Flood Risk press release [English & Spanish] (“ASFPM Launches Spanish Version of Flood Risk Mitigation Site,” June 25, 2025)
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