🔹 Did you recently find out your property is in Flood Zone AR?
🔹 Are you confused about what this means for your insurance and property regulations?
🔹 Wondering how long you’ll be in Flood Zone AR and what happens next?
You’re not alone! Many homeowners and real estate investors don’t fully understand Flood Zone AR, which can lead to confusion about flood insurance requirements, building restrictions, and future flood risks.
At Flood Insurance Guru, we help property owners navigate flood zone designations and find the best insurance options.
In this guide, we’ll cover:
✔ What Flood Zone AR means & why FEMA assigns it
✔ How it affects your flood insurance requirements
✔ Building & elevation requirements in Zone AR areas
✔ What happens after a Flood Zone AR designation
Let’s break it down.
Flood Zone AR is a temporary designation assigned by FEMA to areas where a previously effective flood control system—such as a levee or dam—is being restored.
These areas were once protected but are now at higher risk of flooding until the flood control structure is repaired or rebuilt.
✔ Temporary status – The designation remains until flood protection is restored.
✔ Higher flood risk – Even though protection is being rebuilt, flooding is more likely in the meantime.
✔ Insurance requirement – NFIP flood insurance is mandatory for properties in Zone AR.
✔ Stricter building codes – New construction or renovations must follow FEMA's elevation & floodproofing standards.
📌 Example Scenario:
A city relies on a levee to prevent flooding, but FEMA decertifies the levee due to structural issues. While the levee undergoes repairs, FEMA assigns Flood Zone AR status, requiring homeowners to buy flood insurance until the levee is fully restored.
📌 External Source: FEMA’s Flood Zone AR Guide
FEMA designates Flood Zone AR when:
✔ A previously effective flood control structure is no longer reliable.
✔ Local or federal agencies are actively working to restore flood protection.
✔ Flood risks have temporarily increased while repairs are in progress.
This designation allows local governments to receive federal assistance to repair levees, dams, or floodwalls while ensuring homeowners are aware of the increased flood risk.
📌 Related: How NFIP Risk Rating 2.0 Affects Flood Zone AR
✔ If you have a federally backed mortgage (FHA, VA, USDA, or conventional loans), you are required to carry flood insurance while your property is in Zone AR.
📌 Get a Free Flood Insurance Quote
✔ FEMA allows discounted rates in some Zone AR areas, but rates vary based on:
✔ Some insurance providers require an elevation certificate to determine the correct premium based on your property’s flood risk.
📌 Related: How Elevation Certificates Can Lower Your Flood Insurance Costs
If you’re planning to build or renovate in a Flood Zone AR area, you must follow FEMA’s flood protection guidelines.
✔ New buildings & major renovations must be elevated to meet or exceed Base Flood Elevation (BFE) standards.
✔ Homes must be built with flood-resistant materials to withstand potential flooding.
✔ If your repairs cost more than 50% of the home’s value, you must comply with new elevation requirements.
📌 External Source: FEMA’s Floodproofing Requirements
Flood Zone AR is temporary, but what happens after the restoration is complete?
✔ Once the flood control structure is restored, FEMA reassesses the flood zone.
✔ Your property may be reassigned to a lower-risk flood zone (like Zone X).
✔ Flood insurance requirements may change depending on the new designation.
📌 Check Your Flood Zone with a Free Assessment
📌 Get a Free Flood Insurance Consultation
✔ Your area was once protected but now has a higher temporary flood risk.
✔ NFIP flood insurance is required for homes with federally backed-mortgages.
✔ Building & renovation rules are stricter to minimize flood damage.
The good news? Once flood protection is restored, your flood zone status may improve.
📌 Want to know how Flood Zone AR affects your insurance rates? Get a free quote today.
📌 Get Your Free Flood Insurance Consultation Now