My house is in a floodplain - what do I need to know?

Insurance: You should seriously consider purchasing flood insurance. Your homeowner's or renter's insurance policy does not cover flooding. To purchase flood insurance, contact your regular homeowners' insurance agent.

Preparation: Your family is at risk for flooding, which can happen quickly and without warning. Prepare a family disaster plan in advance for your best protection. The American Red Cross has excellent publications in English and Spanish to help you with this process. Your planning should include:

  • Designating meeting places
  • Learning the warning signals
  • Educating your children
  • Assembling an emergency food, water, and supply kit
  • Learning how to turn off utilities
  • Arranging animal care
  • Planning how to help family members and neighbors with special needs

Restrictions: In some floodplain areas, development permits may be denied. The City of Cedar Park requires building permits for remodeling, improving, expanding, or rebuilding your home, buildings, parking areas, etc. If your property is in a floodplain, you will have to make all projects compliant with stricter rules for floodplain construction.

Show All Answers

1. What does FEMA stand for?
2. What is a flood?
3. What is a floodplain?
4. What is the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP)?
5. How does the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) benefit the community?
6. What is the Community Rating System (CRS)?
7. What is a 100-Year Flood Zone or Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA)?
8. What is a Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM)?
9. What is a base flood elevation (BFE)?
10. What are my odds of flooding within a 100-year floodplain?
11. How do I know if I am in a flood zone?
12. My house is in a floodplain - what do I need to know?
13. Who has to buy flood insurance?
14. What is Pre-FIRM and Post-FIRM?
15. What is an Elevation Certificate?
16. Who can prepare an Elevation Certificate?
17. Why should I have an Elevation Certificate for my property?
18. What is a Letter of Map Change (LOMC)?
19. What are the different types of LOMC?
20. How long does it take to obtain a Letter of Map Amendment (LOMA), Letter of Map Revision (LOMR), or physical map revision?
21. My mortgage company has informed me that my house is in a floodplain and that I will be required to purchase flood insurance - what do I need to know?
22. What is floodplain management?
23. Where can I find more information about the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP)?