Property description question

[Orthodoxmomof4]

Anyone know what "Flood Zone A" means? I am familiar with 50-year, 100-year, etc. flood plains but not an A, B, C scale.

Dh and I drove out to look at a nearby property today - it was a dud but we came across this other one. 22 acres (no house, but a good building site) of rolling pasture with some nice trees, a pond, and a small creek going through it at one end. The price is good for around here but I'm wondering if "Flood Zone A" is the reason. Should we look into it further or run in the other direction? Thanks.

Becky

[hillsidedigger]

Yes, I know well what Flood Zone A means.

On the maps that FEMA has prepared along waterways there are A Zones and AE Zones.

The A Zones are simply grey shaded areas on the maps where it is considered that there is a 1% chance of flooding to the limit of the grey shaded area on the map in any given year meaning that closer to the waterway there's a greater chance. No elevation or contour of the possible flooding is defined, just grey shading on a map.

The Zone AE areas have been analyzed and an elevation or contour of the expected flooding upward (elevation) and horizontal limit has been determined and is shown. Again, closer to the waterway, from the limit or extent, the chances may be greater than 1% in any given year and the effects of the estimated flooding more damaging.

There is also the concept of 'floodways'. Flood zones are fine for growing trees, possibly pasture or even crops.

[Orthodoxmomof4]

I forgot to look at FEMA - thank you. Looks like the answer is leave it be. :::::sigh:::::: Just having one of those days when you feel like you're *never* going to find your homestead.

Trying to be patient,
Becky