Flood Factor™ FAQ (2024)

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On August 26, 2020, realtor.com® announced a new property listing feature called Flood Factor™, an online flood risk visualization tool developed by the First Street Foundation. The feature enables consumers to access comprehensive flood data for each listing, including the FEMA flood zone and a risk score between 1 (minimal risk) and 10 (extreme risk), and to search based on flood risk preference in addition to other filters (e.g., schools, noise, and crime).

Flood Factor™ supports NAR policy to provide more accurate flood mapping with full transparency and disclosure. Because FEMA maps are often outdated and don’t cover most of the United States, many consumers have been buying homes before learning of the risk, resulting in flood-related lawsuits and undermining confidence in home purchases. Flood Factor™ can help by providing consumers with another credible flood risk tool while filling in the gaps on FEMA maps.

If you receive Flood Factor™ questions from customers:

  • Real estate professionals are a source of property information, and not flood experts.
  • You can share the facts that every home in the U.S. has some flood risk and many in FEMA “low risks” zones receive disaster aid and flood insurance claims each year.
  • You may also hand the client this brochurepdf, which NAR developed in collaboration with FEMA.
  • As always, avoid making statements beyond your license and training or discouraging customers from considering flood data or insurance.
  • Flood Factor™ is a credible diagnostic tool that can help detect high-risk homes but can only provide a strong indication and not proof of flooding issues with a property.
  • In order to determine if there are property-specific issues, clients should consult a qualified professional, such as their local floodplain manager or a licensed surveyor/engineer.
  • While flood risk assessment is outside the real estate license and training, you can be ready to identify insurance agents, home inspectors and other flood risk professionals who can answer property-specific questions and/or identify options to mitigate risk.
  • Consumers may also submit more specific questions to realtor.com®’s Customer Care team at 877-909-6640 or [email protected].

NAR has developed a detailed set of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) below, including how to talk with customers about the Flood Factor™ data.

Flood Factor™ FAQ (2024)

FAQs

Is flood Factor legit? ›

The First Street Foundation National Flood Model and the Flood Factor tool were created by the First Street Foundation, a non-profit with a team of over 80 scientists, technologists, and analysts. The model is publicly available and peer reviewed.

Is flood factor 5 10 bad? ›

Flood Factor™ provides comprehensive flood risk information for each individual property, including a score ranging from 1 (minimal risk) to 10 (extreme risk) as determined by the cumulative likelihood and potential depth of flooding over the next 15-30 years.

How does flood factor work? ›

A property's Flood Factor is determined by its likelihood of flooding and the potential depth of that flood. Because flood risks accumulate over time, it specifically looks at the likelihood of 1 inch of water reaching the building footprint of a home at least once within the next 30 years.

What does a 7 out of 10 flood factor mean? ›

The nearest flood zone is 1/3 mile away, adjacent to a creek. However, the website floodfactor.com rates this house at a 7/10 flooding risk, 1 being the lowest. They estimate a 50% chance of flooding in 10 years and 98% chance in 30 years.

What is the flood factor risk score? ›

How to read the flood data
1/10Minimal risk
2/10Minor risk
3-4/10Moderate risk
5-6/10Major risk
7-8/10Severe risk
1 more row

What are the disadvantages of the National Flood Insurance Program? ›

Disadvantages of the Program

The program had to pay out more money than it was able to take in. This is one reason why it is difficult to get private flood insurance.

What does flood factor 5 mean? ›

Properties with at least an 80% chance of flooding over 30 years will have a Flood Factor of 5 or higher. Properties with at least a 99% chance of flooding over 30 years will have a Flood Factor of 6 or higher.

Are risk factor flood maps accurate? ›

The Flood Model's methodology was reviewed by experts in the field, who confirmed its scientific rigor and deemed it worthy of scientific publication. Flood Factor simplifies flooding so every American can determine their risk, understand the science, and make informed decisions to prepare for the future.

What is the best flood zone rating? ›

On a flood map, they are labeled as the following:
  • Low Risk: B & X.
  • Moderate Risk: C & X.
  • High Risk: A.
  • Coastal High Risk: V, VE.
  • Undetermined Risk: D.

How to calculate flood level? ›

Calculate the 'Wetted Perimeter (m) of the channel by using Pythagorean theorem at each channel section as illustrated in figure on the right. Calculate the 'Cross-sectional Area (m2)' of the flood flow by multiplying the width of each section and the average flood water depth of each section.

What is the flood risk method? ›

Flood risk assessments focus on four main components: Flood hazard—the probability and magnitude (e.g., depth, velocity, discharge) of flooding. Exposure—the economic value of assets subjected to flood hazard. Vulnerability—the relationship of flood hazard properties to economic loss.

Is First Street Foundation legitimate? ›

First Street Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit research and technology organization working to define America's flood risk.

What does a flood factor of 9 mean? ›

What does flood factor 9/10 mean? A flood factor 9/10 means that your home has a 99% chance of experiencing one inch or more of flooding over a 30-year period. While this is important to know, flood factor is not used by the NFIP to determine flood insurance rates.

What is the 10 code for flood? ›

ICD-10 Code for Flood- X38- Codify by AAPC.

How do you calculate flood risk? ›

Calculate flood risk

Risk = Likelihood × Severity Multiply your mean likelihood and mean severity scores together to give a flood risk score for each zone.

How reliable are flood predictions? ›

Predicting floods is notoriously tricky. They depend on a complex mixture of rainfall, soil moisture, the recent history of precipitation, and much more. Snowmelt and storm surges can also contribute to unexpected flooding.

Is flood control projects a public good? ›

Public goods include knowledge, official statistics, national security, common languages, law enforcement, public parks, free roads, and many television and radio broadcasts. Flood control systems, aids to navigation, and street lighting are also common social goods.

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