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X (Unshaded) Zone X (Unshaded)

Minimal flood risk — outside the 500-year floodplain

Where X (Unshaded) sits

Cross-section of a river floodplainDiagram: a river valley. The floodway is the channel and the land beside it; the 1%-annual-chance flood surface (the base flood elevation) covers the valley floor as zone A or AE; a narrow band higher up is shaded X, the 0.2% floodplain; higher ground is X.0.2% CHANCE A YEAR (500-YEAR)BASE FLOOD ELEVATION · 1% A YEARXAEFloodwayAEX
  1. A / AE Inside the 1%-a-year floodplain: about a 26% chance of flooding over a 30-year mortgage. AE has a mapped base flood elevation; plain A does not.
  2. Floodway The channel and the land beside it that has to be kept clear enough to carry the flood. Building here is tightly limited.
  3. X shaded The 0.2% (500-year) floodplain, plus some levee-protected and very shallow flood areas.
  4. X Outside both lines. No federal requirement to insure, which is not the same as no risk.

What Is Zone X (Unshaded)?

Zone X (Unshaded), also called Zone C on older maps, represents areas of minimal flood risk. These areas are outside both the 100-year and 500-year floodplains.

However, "low risk" does not mean "no risk." From 2014 to 2024, FEMA's own data shows nearly one-third of NFIP claims came from properties outside the high-risk Special Flood Hazard Area. Flash floods, drainage issues, and unusual weather events can cause flooding anywhere.

Flood Insurance Requirements

Flood insurance is not required by federal law (your lender may still require it). However, given that nearly one-third of NFIP claims (2014–2024) come from outside high-risk zones, coverage may still be wise. Premiums are priced on each building’s own risk rather than the zone, so get a quote.

Flood insurance in Zone X: what 687,000 claims show →

How the National Flood Insurance Program works →

Base Flood Elevation (BFE)

Not applicable.

What base flood elevation means and how to read it →

Check Your Property's Flood Zone

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