09/15/2026
⭐⭐⭐Tuesday Tip! ⭐⭐⭐
🌊 Does a Low Elevation Mean a Home Is at High Flood Risk?
Not necessarily! When buying a home in Florida—especially near the coast—you may hear a lot about elevation, flood zones and BFE. But what do those numbers actually mean?
🏡 There isn’t one elevation number that automatically makes a property high risk.
What really matters is how the home’s elevation compares to the Base Flood Elevation (BFE) for that specific location.
💧 What is BFE?
The Base Flood Elevation is the estimated height floodwater could reach during a flood that has a 1% chance of occurring in any given year—often called the “100-year flood.”
For example:
If the BFE is 11 feet and the home’s lowest floor is 8 feet, the home is 3 feet below BFE and may have greater flood exposure.
If the lowest floor is 12 feet, it’s 1 foot above BFE—which can make a significant difference.
📍 Flood Zone + BFE + Home Elevation = A Much Better Picture of Flood Risk
And remember, two homes in the same flood zone can have very different elevations and very different levels of vulnerability.
Buying near the water? Don’t let the letters and numbers overwhelm you. Understanding the flood information before you buy can help you make a much more informed decision.
🏝️ Sun Sand Sold by Lisa
Guiding you home in paradise.
