FEMA Floodplains

FEMA Floodplains & the National Flood Insurance Program

There is a National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), managed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). FEMA utilizes the following statistical data to create flood hazard maps within the United States:

• Hydrologic/hydraulic analyses
• Rainfall and topographic surveys  
• River flow
• Storm tides

Flood Insurance Rate Maps

FEMA is currently updating and modernizing all Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) to a digital format throughout the United States. These digital flood hazard maps provide an official depiction of flood hazards for each community and for properties located within it. These flood hazard mapping associated with Orange County was updated and effective as of August 2009.

Map Service Center

In order to easily navigate the FEMA Map Service Center and understand it contents, we recommend that the following information be reviewed:

• What is FEMA Map Service Center (PDF)
• How to Make a FIRMette Using Map Search (PDF)
• FEMA Flood Hazard Zone Designations (PDF)

Additional Information

Additional information related to water resources in Orange County can be accessed on the Water and Stormwater page.