FEMA flood layer
A public flood-hazard layer used here as a screen. Official flood determinations for insurance and permitting come from FEMA and the local floodplain administrator.
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Southern California · November 14, 2026
Maps
Hazard map: flood, fire and earthquake zones
This map turns on public flood, fire and earthquake-related layers over our zoning density map for the five-county area. It is a first look, not an official determination, not a survey, and not a substitute for the Natural Hazard Disclosure in a sale or for a conversation with the city, the county, a floodplain administrator or a licensed insurer.
Interactive map · screening only
Hazard zones over planned density, five counties
Use the legend to turn layers on or off. Tap any spot for the zones that apply there.Screening only. Not an official determination. Confirm with the city, county or other official office, and read the Natural Hazard Disclosure in a sale.
Who this is for, and when to use it
Buyers, owners and agents use this map before touring or writing an offer, and when a listing mentions fire, flood or earthquake risk. Use it to see which official layers appear at a location, then confirm with the official agency and the disclosure package. Insurance availability and price are set by insurers or the FAIR Plan, not by this map.
Key terms
CAL FIRE fire hazard
State fire-hazard severity zones used for building and disclosure in many areas. Local very high fire hazard zones and new maps can also apply.
Fault, liquefaction and landslide
California Geological Survey layers that flag where the ground has documented seismic or slope hazards. They are not a site-specific geotechnical report.
Natural Hazard Disclosure
A required disclosure in many California sales that lists official hazard-zone findings for the property.
Screening only
A first look that can miss updates, local overlays, or a parcel that sits just outside a drawn line.
How to use this, step by step
- Search or zoom to the city, neighborhood or lot you care about.
- Leave flood and fire on to start, then use the legend to add fault, liquefaction, landslide or tsunami layers.
- Tap the map for the zones that apply at that spot, and note what is not shown.
- Read the official disclosure in a sale, and confirm with the city, county or official map if a permit or insurance decision depends on it.
- If insurance is a concern, use the wildfire-insurance notes and get a quote before you remove a contingency.
Costs, timelines, and common pitfalls
Being in a mapped hazard area can affect insurance premiums, mitigation or building requirements, and, in some cases, lending. It does not automatically make a home uninsurable or unbuildable, and being outside a drawn line does not mean there is no risk. Common pitfalls include treating this map as a final answer, skipping the official disclosure, or waiting until after removing contingencies to ask about fire insurance. Map layers are updated on their own official schedules; this screen can lag.
County-by-county notes
Orange County
Coastal flood, canyon fire and some landslide areas all appear in parts of the county. See also our wildfire-zone brief.
Los Angeles County
Fire, flood, fault and landslide layers can all be relevant, sometimes on the same hillside street. Confirm with official maps and the disclosure.
Riverside County
High fire hazard and, in some valleys, flood layers are common screening issues in newer and older communities alike.
San Bernardino County
Mountain and foothill fire hazard, and flood in some valleys, should be checked early in a purchase.
San Diego County
Coastal flood, canyon fire and earthquake-related layers all appear. Confirm coastal and floodplain rules with the local department.
Before you start
- Look up the address or a nearby intersection, not only the city name.
- Turn on each layer you care about, including earthquake layers if the legend offers them.
- Read the Natural Hazard Disclosure and any official letters in the sale package.
- Ask an insurer about availability and price before you remove an insurance contingency.
- For a permit or a rebuild, talk with the local building or planning department, not only this map.
A short real-estate example
Questions
Is this an official flood or fire determination?
No. It is a screening map that uses public layers. Official determinations come from the responsible agency and, in a sale, from the required disclosure.
Why don't you show every local overlay?
Some local maps are not in this layer set. A missing line does not mean a clean official finding.
Does a fire-hazard color mean I cannot get insurance?
No. It is a signal to get a quote early. Availability and price vary, and the FAIR Plan is a different path if the admitted market declines the risk.
Can I use this instead of a geologic report?
No. A site-specific report, when one is required or needed, is a different document.
How often are the layers updated?
The official agencies update on their own schedules. This map can lag. Confirm on the official source if a decision depends on it.
Where is the zoning density map without hazards?
On our zoning density map page.
Where should I read more about wildfire insurance?
On our wildfire insurance page and the Orange County wildfire-zone brief.
Official resource links
We link only official government or court pages. Confirm the current version on the official site.
Questions about a specific home or transaction? Call or text 833-THIS-BROKER (833-842-7465), text us, or request a call. Dr. Hamid Rowshan, Choice of America. DRE #02004794, company DRE #02240008.
This page is general information for Southern California homeowners, buyers, sellers and renters. It is not legal, tax, insurance or lending advice, not a loan offer, and not a substitute for the official agency, court, lender or insurer that will handle your file. Rules, fees, maps and forms change. Confirm every figure and every filing with the official office before you act.