FEMA has these fancy maps that tell you how likely it is that a certain area is going to flood. They slap labels on different sections of land, ranking them from “Not likely” (yeah right) to “You might as well buy a boat.”
But here’s the kicker: flood maps change all the time. One year, a home is in a safe zone. Next year? Boom—it’s a high-risk flood zone.
And here’s the part nobody talks about: Being in a flood zone isn’t necessarily a bad thing. In fact, it can be a smart move. Why? Because when a property is officially in a flood zone, local governments are required to take flood mitigation efforts seriously.
Think massive drainage projects, levees, improved byways—all designed to protect homes in high-risk flood zones. And guess what? These efforts work. When historic floods hit, the properties required to carry flood insurance are often the ones that don’t flood—while the ones outside the map, with no insurance, end up underwater (literally).
So, the reality? Nowhere is truly safe. The smartest move you can make? Get flood insurance no matter where you buy.
