docs/api reference/FEMA Flood Zone (NFHL)
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GET/api/fema/flood

FEMA Flood Zone (NFHL)

Returns the FEMA National Flood Hazard Layer zone for a single point. Pass an address for a one-shot query, or pass lat/lon if you already have coordinates. Backed by the FEMA ArcGIS identify service across 4 layers: FIRM Panels, Base Flood Elevations, Boundaries, and Flood Hazard Zones.

Parameters

addressstringoptional

Street address. When provided, the API resolves it to lat/lon via the production geocoder chain (cache → Census → ZIP + district PIP). Recommended for most use cases.

latnumberoptional

Latitude in decimal degrees (WGS84). Use when you already have coordinates (e.g. from a previous geocode call) and want to skip the address lookup.

lonnumberoptional

Longitude in decimal degrees (WGS84). Required when 'lat' is provided.

timeoutnumberoptional

Upstream timeout in milliseconds (default 3500, range 500–10000). Applied to the FEMA ArcGIS request.

How to use

curl -G https://api.parcelkit.us/api/fema/flood \
  -H "x-api-key: sk_live_your_key" \
  --data-urlencode "address=560 Landfall Ln, Conroe, TX 77302"
response.json
{
  "address": "560 Landfall Ln, Conroe, TX 77302",
  "lat": 30.3119,
  "lon": -95.4561,
  "flood": {
    "fldZone": "AE",
    "zoneSubtype": null,
    "isSfha": true,
    "baseFloodElevation": null,
    "floodDepth": null,
    "floodVelocity": null,
    "firmPanelId": "48339C",
    "firmVersion": "1.1.1.0",
    "sourceCitation": "48339C_STUDY1",
    "isReverted": false
  },
  "femaMscUrl": "https://msc.fema.gov/portal/search?lat=30.3119&lon=-95.4561",
  "geocode": {
    "address": "560 Landfall Ln, Conroe, Montgomery County, TX 77302",
    "source": "chain:census",
    "county": "Montgomery"
  }
}
curl -G https://api.parcelkit.us/api/fema/flood \
  -H "x-api-key: sk_live_your_key" \
  --data-urlencode "lat=30.3119" \
  --data-urlencode "lon=-95.4561"
ZoneSFHAMeaning
XNoMinimal flood hazard. Outside the 500-year floodplain.
AEYesHigh risk. Base flood elevation determined. Flood insurance typically required for federally-backed mortgages.
AOYesHigh risk, shallow flooding. Sheet flow areas with average depths of 1–3 ft.
VEYesCoastal high hazard with wave action. Strictest building requirements.
AYesHigh risk, no base flood elevation determined.

This endpoint hits the FEMA ArcGIS upstream directly. If FEMA's service is degraded, the endpoint returns 503. The /api/property/search and /api/property endpoints include flood data inline by default — use this endpoint only when you need flood zone for a point that isn't a CAD-searchable property.