Special Flood Hazard Areas Subject to Inundation by the 1% Annual Chance Flood
The 1% annual flood (100-year flood), also known as the base flood, is the flood that has a 1% chance of being equaled or exceeded in any given year. The Special Flood Hazard Area is the area subject to flooding by the 1% annual chance flood. Areas of Special Flood Hazard in Pima County include Zones A, AE, AH, and AO. The Base Flood Elevation is the water-surface elevation of the 1% annual chance flood.
The Flood Disaster Protection Act of 1973 requires federally insured lenders to have flood insurance on loans with structures located even partially within a federally mapped Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) floodplain. The District recommends that property owners purchase flood insurance for any structure within or immediately adjacent to a federal SHFA, federal Other Flood Area (OFA) or locally mapped floodplain, regardless of whether or not there is a federally backed loan on the structure.
Other Flood Areas
Flood insurance is not federally mandated in Other Flood Areas (OFA), but the District recommends the purchase of flood insurance for structures within OFAs.
Other Areas
Flood insurance is not federally mandated in Other Areas, but the District recommends that property owners contact their local jurisdiction to determine whether they are impacted by a locally mapped floodplain that is not shown on the DFIRMs. If a structure is impacted by a locally mapped floodplain not shown on the DFIRMs, the District recommends the purchase of flood insurance for the structure.