What's a Flood Plain?

A floodplain or flood plain or bottomlands is an area of land adjacent to a river which stretches from the banks of its channel to the base of the enclosing valley walls, and which experiences flooding during periods of high discharge.

What does it mean to live in a flood plain?

A flood plain is an area that is subject to natural flooding from an adjoining waterway. In the real estate market, a home in a legally defined flood plain is eligible for purchase of federal flood insurance.

Is it bad to live in a floodplain?

There are several risks of living in a floodplain. Even if you have never had a flood, they are extremely likely in floodplains. Here are the main flood risks you should consider: Loss of Life – Although property damage is the biggest concern, floods cause more fatalities than any other natural disaster.