How to Find Out if You Live Near a Flood Plain

If you want to know how close you live to a federally-designated flood plain, there's a map for that.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency's website allows people search detailed flood maps.
All you need to do is just put in your address, and you can see a map of your neighborhood.
Insurance companies use a number of factors in setting rates for flood insurance and rate the risk on a letter scale from A to X, said Dallas independent insurance agent Ken Davidson.
Unfinished Dallas Flood Control Leaves Areas Vulnerable
"Homeowners' policies do not cover you for flood, whether it's your dwelling, your property or your contents," he said. "You have to secure a separate flood insurance policy."
Davidson said more than 75 percent of Texans decide they can't afford it or don't need it.
But he warned when a flood hits, it's too late.
NBC 5 Forecast: Plenty of Sunshine
"You're buying insurance for claims and when that claim happens, you better make sure you have coverage," he said.
Once you buy a policy, it takes 30 days to go into effect, he said.
Click the link to find the FEMA flood maps.
Taken from: http://www.nbcdfw.com/weather/stories/How-to-Find-Out-if-You-Live-Near-a-Flood-Plain-336125011.html