As a real estate agent or broker, you'll want to disclose any changes in flood risk levels to your clients, and tell them about flood insurance requirements and options. Not to do so puts you at risk. Here's the good news: The new maps are much easier to use than the older maps. Just enter an address, online, to see the new map. Future updates will be added as completed, so you'll always be working with the most recent information. And buyers whose property will be mapped into an area of high risk can save on flood insurance before new maps are adopted through a "grandfathering" provision. More information on grandfathering is available on the Insurance Information page.

As a Listing Agent, Check the Risk Level

The lister should disclose if the property is now or will be in a high-risk area (Special Flood Hazard Area). Go to the Proposed Flood Map Viewers and pull up the flood map to locate the property of interest.

Also note that owners or tenants of commercial or multi-unit properties, such as apartment complexes or business parks, will not receive notification letters from the County if their flood zone status has changed and will need to review the maps themselves to see if a change has occurred to their property.

Tell Buyers About Flood Insurance Requirements

To avoid liability, you need to make buyers aware of any upcoming changes in flood risk status. You should also disclose any flood insurance requirements. When the new maps are adopted, flood insurance requirements will change. However, many property owners can save if they purchase their insurance prior to map adoption - a process known as "grandfathering" or assume the current owner's flood insurance policy. More information is available on the Insurance Information page.