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When you click on the map link above, you will be directed to an online mapping site. The preliminary FEMA flood zones have been overlayed (in blue) on top of the Town's parcel data. To find a property and view the preliminary flood zones, you may use one of the search boxes on the left side of the screen. NOTE: The parcel will be highlighted in red. The FEMA preliminary flood zones are depicted in blue
Flood Risks and Flood Zones
Flood maps refer to areas of high, medium or low risk as “flood hazard zones” and the zones of highest risk as “Special Flood Hazard Areas.”
BFE = |
Base Flood Elevation |
High Flood Risk |
AE, A, AH or AO Zone. These properties have a 1 percent chance of flooding in any year — and a 26 percent chance of flooding over the life of a 30-year mortgage.
VE or V Zone. These properties have a 1 percent chance of flooding in any year and also face hazards associated with coastal storm waves.
Insurance note: High-risk areas are called Special Flood Hazard Areas, and flood insurance is mandatory for most mortgage holders.* |
Low or Moderate Flood Risk |
0.2-percent-annual-chance floodplain (Zone B) These properties are outside the high-risk zones. The risk is reduced but not removed. No BFEs or depths are shown in this zone, and insurance purchase is not required.
X Zone. These properties are in an area of overall lower risk.
Insurance note: Lower-cost preferred rate flood insurance policies (known as Preferred Risk Policies) are often an option in these areas. |
A multi-year project to re-examine flood zones and develop detailed, digital flood hazard maps is nearing completion. The new maps reflect current flood risks and areas of recent growth, replacing the current maps which are ten to twenty years old. As a result, property owners throughout Chatham will have up-to-date, reliable, internet-accessible information about their flood risk — on a property-by-property basis.
Hard Copy maps are also available for public review at the Community Development 595 Main St. and Health & Environment Dept. 1455 Main St.
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