For Homeowners

Floods can - and do - occur throughout Hernando County. Areas of high risk are called Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHA's). They have at least a 1% chance of flooding in a given year. Other areas have low to moderate risk, meaning that the risk in these areas is reduced, but not removed. Flood risks vary from property to property, even in the same neighborhood. The County is now completing a major effort to develop reliable, digital flood hazard maps that will replace the outdated, paper maps. All residents can use the Hernando County Map Viewer, to learn their risk, and decide the steps to take to protect against damage and loss.

Flood Insurance

Flood insurance is an important first step in protecting your financial investment. For homes in a high risk zone, there is a 26% chance of experiencing a flood during the life of a 30-year mortgage, compared to a 9% chance of fire. In accordance with the Flood Disaster Protection Act of 1973 and the National Flood Insurance Reform Act of 1994, flood insurance is required for all structures located in a SFHA that carry a home mortgage loan backed by a federally-regulated lender or servicer. Remember, flood insurance is available for all properties, regardless of risk designation, and is the only insurance that protects you from flood damage. More information is available on the Insurance Information page. Learn more about the cost of flood damage at FloodSmart.Gov: The Cost of Flooding.

Flood Safety

Floods are the most common natural disaster in Hernando County (and the United States for that matter). Being flood smart includes protecting your property before floods occur. Be sure that major appliances, electric switchboxes, outlets, and heating equipment are well above potential flood levels. Learn more by visiting the Are You Ready? website.

Hurricane Evacuation Zones

Though there is some similarity between the County's hurricane evacuation zones and the flood map zones, they are not the same. Flooding can occur all throughout the county because of low areas, bodies of water and the way water runs off land. But all of these areas might not be in a hurricane evacuation zone because of their distance from the coast and other factors. To view what evacuation zone you are in, download the Hernando County Evacuation Zone Map (pdf, 643 KB) or visit the County's Emergency Management Flood and Evacuation Zone Search page.

Contesting a Flood Designation

While the new maps use the latest technology and information available at the time of risk modeling, the maps can always be improved if better information is available. The Federal Emergency Management Agency will accept detailed topographic or hydrologic model information to support a change to the map during the 90-day Public Comment period. More information is available on the Public Comment Period page.

View Frequently Asked Questions about the Hernando County's map modernization project.

FEMA Information for Homeowners

FOR MORE INFORMATION Visit http://www.hernandocounty.us/FloodMap/ to view the new digital flood maps, see the areas that are changing flood zones and learn how Hernando will be affected. Visit www.FloodSmart.gov for more information about how to protect against flooding and the steps local residents may need to take to ensure that they have proper insurance coverage to protect their investment.