Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) - Floodplain

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Flooding can be the most frequent and costly disaster in a community, as it is in our nation. The likelihood of inland, riverine, and coastal flooding changes over time due to erosion, changing land use, changing weather patterns,  and other factors. The risk for flooding can vary within the same neighborhood and even between adjacent properties. Still, nobody is exempt from flood risk – where it can rain,  it can flood. Knowing your flood risk is the first step to flood protection. 

Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA)

Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHA) are high-risk areas with a one-percent ( 1%) chance or more of being inundated by a base flood in any given year, as identified by the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) maps. Floodplain management regulations are enforced, and the purchase of flood insurance applies to these areas. Please visit FEMA Flood Risk Communication Video SeriesFEMA Flood Map Service Center, and the FEMA National Flood Insurance Program for more information.

The 1% flood has a 1-percent chance of occurring in any given year; however, during the span of a 30-year mortgage, a home in the SFHA floodplain has a 26-percent chance of being flooded at least once during those 30 years! The value of 26 percent is based on probability theory that accounts for each of the 30 years having a 1-percent chance of flooding.

National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP)
Elevation Certificate Information
Protect from Flooding
Additional Information
If you would like to inquire with the Town of Vienna, please have the address available. We are open from 8:00 am – 4:30 pm Monday through Friday. You may reach us by telephone at 703-255-6380 or send an email to DPW@viennava.gov. Our staff will be willing to assist you in any way we can. There is no charge for this service.