Flood insurance information for realtors, lenders and insurance agents

The Flood Disaster Protection Act of 1973 and the National Flood Insurance reform Act of 1994 make the purchase of flood insurance mandatory for federally-backed mortgages on buildings located in the 100-year floodplain mapped on a Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM).

To determine if a property is located in the mapped 100-year floodplain, enter an address or property tax lot number into King County’s Interactive Mapping Tool: iMap (high speed Internet connection required). If an address or tax lot number is not available, simply zoom in on a specific area or parcel to determine its location in the floodplain.

The iMap application can produce maps displaying aerial imagery, parcel boundaries with overlays of floodplain, floodway and other natural hazards. Data used in iMap reflects best available science, including new flood studies and map amendments, and is not limited to the published Flood Insurance Rate Maps. Hydrographic layers for the 100-year floodplain, FEMA floodway and channel migration zones can be added to the map to inform the user if this property is located in a floodplain and whether or not the mandatory flood insurance purchase would be required.

NOTE: The mandatory flood insurance purchase requirement only applies to properties within FEMA designated floodplains. However, properties located within a floodplain designated through iMap are strongly encouraged to consider flood insurance coverage.

Staff from Department of Development and Environmental Services (DDES) can also assist with the following flood map information by calling 206-296-6606.

• Whether a property is located within a FEMA mapped Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA), or flood prone area identified by King County.
• Flood insurance rating information such as FIRM zone, panel number, suffix, panel date, index date and regulatory base flood elevation.
• FEMA elevation certificates if available. King County has elevation certificates for properties within the SFHA.
• Regulatory provisions that may apply to the property in question.
• If available, whether the property has ever suffered any flood damage.

Flood insurance and FEMA (Acrobat PDF format)
This bulletin explains the effect of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) on the permitting process of the Department of Development and Environmental Services (DDES) and answers some common questions about the National Flood Insurance Program's (NFIP's) impact on development projects.

King County Code >> Environmentally sensitive areas (MS Word format)
County definitions and rules on development standards, restrictions, and requirements as well as permitted uses in King County floodplains and other sensitive areas. Codes pertaining specifically to floodplains can be found under sections 21A.24.230 to 21A.24.275 of this document.

FEMA flood hazard maps (external link)
Information on locating Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRM), understand how to read them, and requesting a map change.

FEMA Flood Map Service Center, online map viewer (external link)
Order or view current Flood Insurance Rate Maps online.
(registration required, no charge to view maps)

For questions about the Floodplain Maps, please contact Ken Zweig, River and Floodplain Management Section.