FEMA flood Zone AE
High-risk (SFHA) · Special Flood Hazard Area · annual chance 1% (100-year)
Zone AE is a high-risk (sfha) FEMA flood-map designation. Areas subject to inundation by the 1-percent-annual-chance flood event determined by detailed methods. Base Flood Elevations (BFEs) are shown. AE replaced the older numbered zones A1-A30 on modern maps and is the most common Special Flood Hazard Area designation. Because it is a Special Flood Hazard Area, flood insurance is mandatory for a building with a federally backed mortgage.
Source: FEMA — Flood Zones glossary & FIRM zone definitions. Data as of June 2026.
Zone AE at a glance
| Attribute | Zone AE |
|---|---|
| Risk category | High-risk (SFHA) |
| Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA)? | Yes — high-risk |
| Flood insurance mandatory (federal mortgage)? | Yes, in the SFHA |
| Annual flood chance | 1% (100-year) |
| Base Flood Elevations (BFEs) shown? | Yes |
Source: FEMA — Flood Zones glossary & FIRM zone definitions. Data as of June 2026.
What Zone AE means for your flood insurance
Flood insurance is mandatory for federally backed mortgages. The BFE matters: building above it generally lowers premiums under Risk Rating 2.0.
Under Risk Rating 2.0, FEMA prices each property on its own flood risk — distance to water, flood type, foundation, the height of the lowest floor and rebuild cost — rather than charging one flat rate per zone. So the zone tells you whether insurance is mandatory and roughly how risky the area is, while your actual premium is property-specific. See the cost estimator for a rough figure.
States where Zone AE is common
Zone AE is among the dominant mapped flood zones in these states:
Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii
How Zone AE compares with other flood zones
| Zone | Category | SFHA? | Insurance mandatory? | Annual chance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone AE | High-risk (SFHA) | Yes | Yes | 1% (100-year) |
| Zone A | High-risk (SFHA) | Yes | Yes | 1% (100-year) |
| Zone AH | High-risk (SFHA) | Yes | Yes | 1% (100-year) |
| Zone AO | High-risk (SFHA) | Yes | Yes | 1% (100-year) |
| Zone AR | High-risk (SFHA) | Yes | Yes | 1% (temporarily increased) |
| Zone A99 | High-risk (SFHA) | Yes | Yes | 1% (100-year) |
| Zone V | High-risk coastal (SFHA) | Yes | Yes | 1% (100-year) + wave action |
Frequently asked questions
What does FEMA flood Zone AE mean?
Areas subject to inundation by the 1-percent-annual-chance flood event determined by detailed methods. Base Flood Elevations (BFEs) are shown. AE replaced the older numbered zones A1-A30 on modern maps and is the most common Special Flood Hazard Area designation.
Is flood insurance required in Zone AE?
Yes. Zone AE is a high-risk Special Flood Hazard Area, so federal law requires flood insurance for buildings with a mortgage from a federally regulated or insured lender. Flood insurance is mandatory for federally backed mortgages. The BFE matters: building above it generally lowers premiums under Risk Rating 2.0.
Is Zone AE a high-risk flood zone?
Yes. Zone AE is a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) with at least a 1% (100-year) chance of flooding. SFHAs are the zones FEMA treats as high-risk for insurance and floodplain-management purposes.
How does Zone AE affect my flood insurance premium?
Since FEMA's Risk Rating 2.0, premiums are based on each property's specific characteristics rather than the zone alone, but the zone still signals risk. Flood insurance is mandatory for federally backed mortgages. The BFE matters: building above it generally lowers premiums under Risk Rating 2.0. Use our calculator for a rough estimate and get a real quote from an NFIP agent.
Keep exploring
Source
Definitions: FEMA — Flood Zones glossary & FIRM zone definitions (US public domain). This is general information, not insurance advice — confirm your property's zone on the official FEMA Flood Map Service Center and verify insurance requirements with your lender or agent. See our disclaimer.
Last updated: 2026-06-20