Flood Zone Look-up Information
To look up your flood zone go here, http://msc.fema.gov
Click here for the definition.
Source: Federal Emergency Management Authority

Source: United States Environmental Protection Agency

Source: United States Environmental Protection Agency

Source: United States Environmental Protection Agency

Address Matching - Process Description
Matching Process: The address matching process involves the geocoding of the client address input. Geocoding is a process of creating geographic coordinates for geographically referenced data - such as an address. Goecoding allows Climate Appraisal to find the precise coordinates for an address on the surface of the earth, and match them to the coordinates of the information in our database, to create a customized address-specific report of our information. If an exact match was not found and a zip center report was selected by the client, this could have occurred for a variety of common reasons 1) it is a new home and/or a new street, 2) the zip code has changed or is different for the address input, 3) missing or misspelled address information in the governmental data matching source, 4) using a highway number instead of a street address, 5) old or misspelled address information, 6) as well as some other less common reasons. The government periodically updates and corrects its geocoding information for matching purposes, but there is always a lag in those updates. At Climate Appraisal, we are committed to utilizing the most current government data available for address matching purposes, and enhancing our matching process with new data sources. We encourage you to check back again in the future to test if we now have an exact match on your address, as we further update and enhance our matching process.

Data Tables - Display Notes
All data displayed in our appraisal report tables has a timeframe associated with it; these timeframes are noted in the Appraisal Content samples in each category, and in the report. In addition, historical government data are collected from observation sites, actual sites and/or events, or Geoscientist analysis (for example tree rings). In the case of observation site data, there may be over a thousand from which to find the closest address match, or less than a hundred, but in all cases we attempt to find the closest information match to the client address input (or zip center if an exact match was not found and this option was selected). In this case, it means that your address specific data may be very close to the exact location, or be somewhat further away, with observation station locations identified in the report for your reference. In the case of actual location or event data, it is reported by the respective agency when it occurs along a track, at a specific location or region, or at a determined center. For report clarity, in certain cases we limit event information results to one event per day if there are multiple events on the same day (hurricanes and tornadoes) and of the exact same magnitude (earthquakes), and exclude minor events in certain cases (tornadoes). For event information we also limit actual results to within a specific timeframe, as well as limit the event distance from the address location in certain information to make it most relevant to the address (hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, faults, volcanoes, wildfires) - using the difference between the latitude and longitude of the address location and the event location in the data to identify the distance from the address to the event. Timeframe and distance information qualifications are noted in the Appraisal Content samples in each category, and in appraisal report data tables and definition sections. For projected data that are not from governmental agencies, they are also offered "as is", we do not edit or change any such non-governmental data collected. Please refer to our Terms of Use if you have further questions on our data and its sources. Remember - clients who ordered the premium report can at no additional charge, re-run their report on the same address for a period of 6 months from their initial order date to view any information we have added or updated.

SHORELINE REDUCTION FROM CLIMATE CHANGE

Historical Temperature Change (F): The historical temperature change is a comparison of one time period versus another time period, and generally utilizes data from time periods over which reasonably reliable near-surface temperature records exist from actual observations. In this image, the time periods compared are the long term average from 1971 to 2000, versus the five year average from 2001 to 2005, which in all cases either exhibit no change, or a marked increase in temperature in the observed area change data mapped from the contiguous United States.
return

Projected Temperature Average Annual (F): The projected average annual temperature is a comparison of a long term current base period versus a projected time period (or periods) in the future. In this table, the long term current base period is the average from 1971 to 2002, and the future periods are in increments of 50 years from a base period of 2000, which in all cases according to data from the U.S. National Assessment of Climate Change as interpreted by Climate Appraisal Services LLC Science Advisors, exhibit a projected average increase in temperature for all areas in the contiguous United States.
return

Historical Sea Level Rise: The historical sea level rise is an observed change in sea level over the period 1992 to 2001 in millimeters. In this image, the observed sea level rise has been computed by NASA utilizing satellite observations of ocean height at different time periods. NASA found that "In the last 50 years sea level has risen at an estimated rate of .18 centimeters (.07 inches) per year, but in the last 12 years that rate appears to be .3 centimeters (.12 inches) per year." http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/news.cfm?release=2005-111
return

3 Foot Sea Level Rise Impact: A 3 foot sea level rise is a scientific projection utilizing digital elevation data and numerical methods to determine what areas would be flooded by a 3 foot sea level rise in the future if the Earth warms enough. Climate Appraisal Services LLC Science Advisors project that up to three feet of sea level rise is likely to occur over the next 100 years, or by 2100, with more than half of that rise likely occurring in the second 50 years. This however is an average projection, with a number of variables impacting its calculation, and as such it could occur much sooner or later than projected, but in all cases an increase in sea level is expected as in the recent past. It should be noted that this impact as displayed from sea level rise modeling takes into consideration geological obstacles which could block sea water from reaching a certain location as it rises.
return

Shoreline Reduction: The same definition applies as in (13), with higher levels projected at more distant future time periods. For example, Climate Appraisal Services LLC Science Advisors project up to 20 feet of sea level rise within the next several hundred years, possibly by 2500 if there is no material slowing in the rate of global warming via a substantial reduction in greenhouse gases.
return

HURRICANES

Hurricane History 1950-2004: A hurricane is a severe tropical cyclone originating in the equatorial regions of the Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea or even the eastern regions of the Pacific Ocean, and usually involves high winds, heavy rains and flooding that can cause extreme property damage and even loss of life. The listed hurricane history from 1950-2004 provides a listing of all hurricane tracks that came within 50 miles of the subject property location, and are categorized using the Saffir Simpson scheme (i.e., by wind speed and structure) from lowest severity TS (Tropical Storm) to the highest H5 (Category 5). H5 hurricanes generally cause the most damage, but significant damage, loss of life and flooding can be caused by smaller storms as well.
return

Total State Hurricanes: The number of hurricanes observed between 1851 and 2004 that hit the state in which the subject property resides, as reported by the NOAA National Weather Service National Hurricane Center. A subject property state may have had numerous hurricanes, but fewer within 50 miles of the subject property; as climate changes occur, normal hurricane tracks could shift with changes in strike patterns.
return

2005 Hurricane Tracks: The 2005 hurricane tracks map displays the path and category of all Atlantic, Caribbean & Gulf of Mexico archived by the National Hurricane Center. 2005 Hurricane activity was one of the most active in recorded history, with widespread and in some cases catastrophic damage, including that from Hurricane Katrina. As scientists study climate change further, they are increasingly connecting global warming with more intense hurricanes, and perhaps greater numbers of hurricanes in the Atlantic as well.
return

Hurricane Outlook: Annually before the beginning of the normal hurricane season from June to November, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration issues a Hurricane Outlook for hurricane activity for the coming season. This outlook includes a projection of total named storms, as well as major hurricanes, and is based on very sophisticated hurricane modeling science that is constantly improving in its accuracy. All population areas within normal hurricane impact areas are encouraged to review this outlook, and take appropriate safety precautions. As the hurricane season progresses, NOAA revises their outlook based on any new factors that may be changing their projections, such as stronger El Nino conditions than expected that may slow hurricane activity to less than they originally projected (as in 2006).
return

Hurricane Evacuation Plans: Coastal states maintain evacuation plans for their population in the event of a hurricane that requires such plans to be implemented. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has centralized access to these state plans through their Coastal Services Center, which contains links for users to coastal states' web sites that provide hurricane evacuation zone maps or other types of emergency management or hurricane information.
return

TORNADOES

Tornado History 1950-2004: A tornado is a rotating column of air in contact with both the ground and a severe thunderstorm. Tornadoes range in width from yards to more than a mile, are usually characterized by a downward funnel shape, and rotate at extremely high speeds that can cause massive damage and even loss of life where they touchdown. Tornado History from 1950-2004 by Fujita or F-scale rating includes all tornado touchdown events that came within 50 miles of the subject property location, and are rated by wind speed from lowest severity F-0 to the highest F-5 that can level large structures. Note - in the table provided by CASL, light (F-0) and moderate (F-1) tornadoes which constitute over 60% of all tornadoes, were excluded given their moderate damage potential. "N/A" denotes storms for which F-scale ratings are not available.
return

Tornado Map 2000-2004: The tornado map from 2000-2004 displays all tornado touchdown events in the contiguous United States of any scale rating as archived by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The Central United States can be seen from this map to be have the highest tornado incidence rate (and therefore highest risk) of a tornado touchdown event, and is known as "Tornado Alley". Populations living in areas with a higher incidence of tornadoes, should be most prepared for their future occurrence given the area's history.
return

Tornado Frequency Statistics: Tornado incident numbers as reported to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and verified, are compiled into tornado frequency statistics measuring current versus prior year tornado trends, and versus longer term 10 and 30 year average trends. These current and long term trends can be graphically displayed as trend lines, and in recent years each of the years 2004-2006 have seen more than the average number of tornado incidents than seen, on average, over the last 30 years. Although scientists have not yet determined the absolute link between increasing tornado incidence and climate change, it is thought that this may be an increasing factor in the future, just as it may be the case with increasingly violent hurricanes (which in many cases spawn tornadoes).
return

EARTHQUAKES & VOLCANOES

Earthquake History 1568-2004: An earthquake is a sudden movement or tremor of the earth's crust usually caused by the release of accumulated stress along geologic fault lines or by volcanic activity. This release can cause shock waves or ground shaking from low to high intensity or magnitude - at the highest magnitudes (greater than 7.0 Richter or X Mercalli) an earthquake can potentially level whole cities with major loss of life and property over an extremely wide geography or epicentral area (up to 50 miles in diameter or more in some cases). Earthquakes can also cause landslides, land liquefaction, land deformation, and even tsunamis. Earthquake History from 1568-2004, and by magnitude from when such scales began (in the 1900's), includes all earthquakes that occurred within 100 miles of the subject property location, and are rated by magnitude from 1 to 9 on the Richter scale, with 9 being the most powerful.
return

Earthquake Map 1750-1996: The earthquake map from 1750-1996 displays all earthquake events in the contiguous United States of any magnitude as archived by the Unites States Geological Survey, National Earthquake Information Center. The map shows the maximum intensity (measure of the damage of an earthquake with XII being the most damaging) of the earthquake. The Western United States can be seen from this map to have the highest incidence of earthquakes in this time period, primarily due to the major geologic faults (one type of seismic hazard) that run through the far Western states; it can be noted from the map, however, that there have been earthquakes in other areas of the United States with seismic hazards in this same time period, some of which have been very strong, or even severe. Populations living in areas with a higher incidence of earthquakes or "earthquake country", should be most prepared for their future occurrence given the areas' history and level of seismic hazard, that increase the future probability of such an event.
return

Seismic Hazard Risk Level: Utilizing historical seismic data and sophisticated modeling science, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Geologic Hazards Team has assigned every area in the United States a seismic hazard risk level or "peak horizontal ground acceleration rate with a 10 percent probability of exceedence in 50 years" (National Atlas of the United States), based on "the rate at which earthquakes occur in different areas and on how far strong shaking extends from quake sources". The higher the risk level assigned to an area- which ranges from 1 to 100 - the higher the probability that an earthquake event in that area will cause major shaking and its associated effects, from property damage to even loss of life if it is severe or a major earthquake.
return

Seismic Hazard Map: The seismic hazard map displays the probability that ground shaking from an earthquake will reach a certain level, with red being the highest level with the highest potential for major property damage and loss of life (and white being the lowest level). "The data show peak horizontal ground acceleration (the fastest measured change in speed, for a particle at ground level that is moving horizontally because of an earthquake) with a 10 percent probability of exceedance in 50 years. This map was compiled by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Geologic Hazards Team." (National Atlas of the United States). The map exhibits more seismic hazard overall in the Western states than the Eastern states, due to the increased incidence of faults in the Western states; but there are areas of the Eastern states that also have seismic hazard, and in particular portions of the Southeast and South central states.
return

Quaternary Faults and 100 Mile Fault Map: A quaternary fault is a fracture or area of fractures in the Earth's crust, along which the blocks or plates of the Earth's crust have moved (and can move again) relative to one another to release accumulated stress - crust movement to release stress is an earthquake. In the United States, "two of these moving plates meet in western California; the boundary between them is the San Andreas fault. The Pacific Plate (on the west) moves northwestward relative to the North American Plate (on the east), causing earthquakes along the fault. The San Andreas is the "master" fault of an intricate fault network that cuts through rocks of the California coastal region. The entire San Andreas fault system is more than 800 miles long and extends to depths of at least 10 miles within the Earth." (United States Geological Survey). All faults - major or minor - within a certain distance of a subject property, particularly if they are a major fault such as the San Andreas, represent a risk to that area of future seismic activity given how far destructive shaking can extend from a fault undergoing an earthquake event - all faults within 100 miles is the distance parameter for appraisal reporting purposes.
return

Quaternary Fault Map: The Quaternary fault map of the contiguous United States displays all faults and fault zones of different ages, from less than 150 years to over 1 million years old. "Quaternary-active faults are those that have slipped in Quaternary time (the last 1.8 million years). Geologists think that these faults are the most likely source of future great earthquakes, so it is important to know what they are, and where they are…." (United Sates Geological Service). The map exhibits more faults or fault zones overall in the Western states than the Eastern states, due to Earth plate boundaries in that area; but there are areas of the Eastern states that also have faults identified through seismic activity, and in particular portions of the Southeast and South central states. It should be noted that portions of Texas and Louisiana are all green in the map, as there is a large number (in the hundreds) or belt of normal faults across this region, which is "sliding and extending seaward…(with) strikingly low historical seismicity….the ability of the fault belt to generate significant seismic ruptures that could cause damaging ground motion is unclear" (United States Geological Service).
return

Landslide Susceptibility Risk and Map: "Landslides are the downward and outward movement of earth materials on a slope. Landslides generally move by the falling, sliding, or flowing of rock and (or) soil, or by a combination of these and other less common types of movement. Causes include earthquakes, reservoir draw-downs, heavy precipitation, and floods. Landslides constitute a major geologic hazard because they occur in all 50 States." (United States National Atlas). Landslide risk for an area of the United States has been classified by the United States Geological Survey as high, medium, or low, based upon historical landslide incidence and scientific evaluation of formations or groups of formations and their slope stability: "Those map units or parts of units with more than 15 percent of their area involved in landsliding were classified as having high incidence; those with 1.5 to 15 percent of their area involved in landsliding, as having medium incidence; and those with less than 1.5 percent of their area involved, as having low incidence." (United States Geological Survey). "Landslides are common throughout the Appalachian region and New England in the East, the Ohio, Missouri, and Mississippi valleys in the Midwest, and all mountainous area of the West….(in addition)…. Major storms have caused widespread flooding and landslide events along the Pacific coast." (United States Geological Survey).
return

Active Volcanoes: A volcano is active when pressure from molten rock beneath the earth's surface causes an opening or fissure in the earth's crust through which molten lava, ash, and gas erupts. "Volcano" is the term identified with the conical mountain created over time by eruption and the ejection of the molten rock. The most active volcanoes are ones that have erupted either continually or periodically over the past 100 years or since 1900 - examples in the contiguous United States include: Lassen Peak in Lassen Volcanic National Park (California), and Mt. St. Helens in Cascade Range (Washington State). Volcanoes typically occur near the boundaries of Earth plates, where fault activity can be a factor in extremely explosive eruptions, with major property damage over a widespread geographic area, and even significant loss of life. Populations living in areas near more active volcanoes should be most prepared for eruption activity, with their evacuation routes planned taking into consideration the paths of potential lava flows, pyroclastic flows, and lahars - all active volcanoes within 100 miles is the distance parameter for appraisal reporting purposes.
return

Volcanoes Map: The volcanoes map of the contiguous United States displays all volcanoes and their last known eruption activity over long time periods, such as since 1900 for the most active (in red), the last 2,000 years, or at an even more distant point in the past. All volcanoes on the map of any age are in Western states, and tend to concentrate near the Pacific plate boundary which is within the California to Washington geographic corridor, and is a part of the global "Ring of Fire" encircling the Pacific Basin where the most active volcanoes occur; however, it is important to note that there is significant volcanic activity potential outside of this corridor, and in particular Yellowstone in Wyoming has been noted as having such future potential based on its volcanic past (and which its geysers hint at today).
return

DROUGHT & WILDFIRE

Recent Drought Analysis - 2001 to 2005: This drought analysis provides an overview of drought occurrence at a given address over the last five years. The past five years are analyzed by month, and the data is displayed for a property on the basis of how many months its environment was in extreme to mild drought in that period (excluding wet or non-drought periods). Certain climates have a higher historical frequency of drought than others, so it is typically the case in those environments that plant and animal life have adapted to their average drought conditions; but that does not mean, however, that recent drought conditions for a prolonged period cannot do major damage to local environments.
return

Drought Analysis 1504-2003: A drought is a period of time in which anomalously dry weather, hydrologic and/or vegetation conditions persist. The drought analysis from 1504-2003 is based on drought history as reconstructed from tree rings. "The tree-ring reconstructions show a more complete range of drought variability than is provided by the 20th century instrumental record. The extended records are useful for placing the instrumental period droughts into a longer time frame, and for evaluating the rarity of the major 20th century droughts." "The major drought of the 20th century, in terms of duration and spatial extent, is considered to be the 1930s Dust Bowl drought which lasted up to 7 years in some areas of the Great Plains." (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration). Droughts are measured using the Palmer Drought Severity Index or PDSI, with values for a period typically between -6 (extremely dry) and +6 (extremely wet) - with 0 neither a wet or dry period. The drought analysis for the property location indicates the average time period between drought events of a given severity, from extreme (-6) to mild (-2) drought. Populations living in areas with more frequent extreme drought conditions should take appropriate action to be prepared for such events, with drought resistant landscaping, and/or water conservation plans. Note that many scientists believe climate change in the future will result in more drought in the future, particularly in those regions that have been drought prone in the past.
return

Precipitation Map - Last 12 months: The precipitation map from the U.S. Western Regional Climate Center for the last 12 months displays by climate division in 360 geographical units, the Standard Precipitation Index (SPI) result for that division. A climate division is "a region within a state that is reasonably homogeneous (similar) with respect to climatic and hydrologic (stream flow) characteristics", and the Standard Precipitation Index is "an index of soil moisture that considers both the long-term average and recent precipitation (up to the last 72 months)". (University of Arizona, Institute for the Study of Planet Earth). The SPI result for a division can range between -3 (exceptionally dry/red to purple) to +3 (exceptionally wet/green to blue) - with a 0 or white result near normal for that division. Certain climate divisions have been much wetter in the past 12 months, such as the Northeast in 2005-2006, and others much drier, such as the south/southwest. The 12 month average can be compared against the 60 month average in the map following, to determine if an area is in a longer term trend of a wet or dry index result, or whether it has been more the case only within the past 12 months. Given climate change impacts evolve slowly over longer periods, there tends to be a degree of correlation between the 12 and 60 month maps. Populations living in areas that are either much wetter or drier than normal, should take appropriate action for potential and more continuous drought or flood conditions.
return

Precipitation Map - Last 60 months: The precipitation map from the Western Regional Climate Center for the last 60 months displays by climate division in 360 geographical units, the Standard Precipitation Index (SPI) result for that division (see definition: Precipitation Map - Last 12 months for supplemental data definitions). Certain climate divisions have been much wetter in the past 60 months, such as the eastern half of the U.S., whereas the western half has been more normal to drier, or in some cases extremely dry. The 60 month SPI average can be compared against the 12 month average in the map preceding, to determine if an area is in a longer term trend of a wet or dry index result. Given climate change impacts evolve slowly over longer periods, there tends to be a degree of correlation between the 12 and 60 month maps. Populations living in areas that are either much wetter or drier than normal for 60 months, should take appropriate action for potential and more continuous drought or flood conditions.
return

Wildfire Events: A wildfire event is an unplanned fire that burns uncontrollably and swiftly (often fanned by high winds) in a forest, grass and/or brush. Wildfires can do catastrophic damage to the environment and property, including loss of life. Wildfires usually start from a natural 'ignition' source such as lightning from a storm, although many are started through human carelessness with campfires or cigarettes during dry or drought conditions, or from burning trash (or even arsonists).. Populations increasingly live in or near wildfire prone areas as development moves into more rural and woodland areas (its nice to live among the trees); however, more people living near woodland areas may increase the risk of wildfire from human sources (and those trees can be the fuel to burn down your house). Populations in wildfire prone areas need to prepare their property for a potential fire, and this could include building with fire resistant materials, and creating a defensible space around the property that is free of dried grasses and brush. In the past five years, populations living in the western United States have had increasing risk of catastrophic loss from wildfire events (in fact, some populations are living in a tinderbox that could catch at any time), as more and more of the west has burned from a combination of prolonged drought, invasive species, and human development.
return

Wildfire Acreage Burned: The National Interagency Coordination Center tracks and publishes statistics on the number of fires and acreage burned over the past several years, comparing each year to date against the prior year to date, and an average of the prior years. In the past three years, the number of fires and acreage burned has been steadily increasing, with much of that driven by drier than normal, and in some cases drought conditions, that have prevailed in the western United States. The economic cost of fighting wildfire is enormous, with one major fire costing tens of millions of dollars to suppress (and total federal agency expenditures to fight fires now regularly exceeding $1 billion per year - C. Whitlock, Nature 432, 28 (2004)), but unfortunately all the data suggests steadily increasing wildfires. In addition, according to the National Atmospheric and Oceanic Administration, "wildfires over the last 20 years are in general larger than they were prior to this period." A growing number of scientists believe global warming and its associated impacts, will combine with the declining health of many forest systems, as well as with historical fire prevention practices, to increase the number and size of wildfires in the future.
return

Wildfire Map 2002-2005: The wildfire map as created from data provided by the U.S. Geospatial Multi-Agency Coordination Group, displays wildfire activity in the United States from 2002 to 2005. It is clear from the map that the western United States has had the highest frequency of wildfires in recent years, driven by its prolonged dry or drought conditions, invasive species spread, increasing development, and past fire prevention practices. Wildfires can cover extensive areas, such as the California Day fire in 2006 which covered over 160,000 acres, and burned for almost two months before it was contained. However, certain Midwest, south central and southeastern states have also had a high frequency of wildfire events, for similar reasons. Populations living in areas with a higher frequency of wildfire, need to take precautions for such events, and be particularly prepared for such events during the typical (and lengthened) wildfire season from March to August by monitoring fire alerts and reviewing evacuation plans, etc.
return

Flood

Flood Events 1995-2000: A flood event is an overbank flooding event which can occur as a result of heavy rainfall over a prolonged period (such rainfall may be caused by a severe storm system such as a Nor'easter, or even a hurricane passing over land), excessive snowmelt, or other phenomena. The National Climatic Data Center compiled county-level flood information for the United States for the years 1995 to 2000. The data displayed for a client includes the number of flood event occurrences, and their total economic damage during that period. The more flood events near a subject property, the more precautions that should be taken to prevent and control flooding.
return

Top 5 Streamflow Years Between 1901 and 2002: Streamflow as defined by the United States Geological Service "is the discharge that occurs in a natural channel. Although the term "discharge" can be applied to the flow of a canal, the word "streamflow" uniquely describes the discharge in a surface stream course. The term "streamflow" is more general than "runoff" as streamflow may be applied to discharge whether or not it is affected by diversion or regulation." Provided in this table are the years (between 1991 and 2002) in which the highest streamflows occurred in the region around a client's address, which may or may not have resulted in flooding at the report address.
return

Flood Map 1995-2000: The county-level flood map as displayed is from NationalAtlas.org, which utilizes data compiled by the National Climatic Data Center and the Hazards Research Laboratory at the University of South Carolina, and is for the years 1995-2000. As can be seen from the flood map, most counties of the United States have experienced some level of flooding and thus economic damage during that period given the data compiled by the Hazards Research Laboratory. According to the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research, supported by the National Science Foundation, the National Weather Service, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Office of Global Programs, over $29MM in flood damage occurred nationally during the 1995-2000 period (www.flooddamagedata.org). Note that absence of flood events in a given county during the 1995-2000 period should not be interpreted as that county being immune to flooding.
return

FEMA Flood Zone Look-up Link: By clicking on this link and entering certain address location data, you can display flood hazard areas "that will be inundated by the flood event having a 1-percent chance of being equaled or exceeded in any given year. The 1-percent annual chance flood is also referred to as the base flood or 100-year flood" (Federal Emergency Management Association). This is useful information to determine if you live in floodplain, which can potentially have a negative Homeowners insurance, and other, impacts. People living or moving into a flood plain, should be take precautions for potential flooding, particularly if the home has a basement &/or first floor that has been known to flood before. Special note: FEMA is actively pursuing flood map modernization, and it should be noted that given land use changes over the past one to three decades, some maps which may be over 25 years old are outdated, and may not realistically depict the existing flood risk.
return

Health & Disease

Leukemia data: This disease is a non-contagious cancer of the blood-forming cells. Several leukemia "clusters" have been reported in the press. Although a number of environmental causes have been suggested, there are no proven associations beyond radiation from atomic explosions and benzene. Links to high-voltage power lines are not proven although there is ongoing research on this topic. Leukemia information as available from the National Cancer Institute is reported in age-adjusted rates per 100,000 population, by gender for each county in the U.S.
return

Leukemia Maps: These maps display at a county or state-level (as available from the National Cancer Institute) the age-adjusted death rates per 100,000 population. The data source did not provide similar maps for any other ethnic groups than those presented. There are no discernable patterns of leukemia rates across the country at this scale. The rates for males are slightly higher than for females.
return

Lyme Disease: Lyme disease is transmitted by the bite of certain ticks that are found on rodents and deer. Because of these associations, it is prevalent in the Northeast and upper Midwest, although it is found across much of the eastern half of the country. Lyme disease is reported by the U.S. Center for Disease Control as the number of cases in a given time period. Here the statewide total is reported along with the overall total for the country and incidence per 100,000, for the specified year. Lyme disease is named for Lyme, CT, where it was first noted in the United States during the mid-1970s.
return

Lyme Disease risk map: The patterns of Lyme Disease risk on this map illustrate the link between the disease in humans the and ticks that transmit it. These ticks are associated with certain mice and deer, which are commonly found in the upper Midwest and across the mid-Atlantic and New England states. The data are reported in four categories of risk from negligible to high risk, based on the density of the specific host-seeking ticks. Lyme Disease is best prevented by reducing exposure to ticks (U.S. Center for Disease Control).
return

West Nile Virus: The West Nile virus recently spread across the United States. It started in the Eastern US, spreading from an introduction near New York City, and moved in association with mosquitoes and certain bird species. Humans become infected via an infected mosquito. West Nile virus has been found elsewhere in the world for decades, but it was only recently introduced to the United States in 1999. The data presented here are confirmed cases and fatalities for the requested state, along with the overall total for the country.
return

West Nile virus map: This map shows positive human cases for West Nile virus for the year indicated. As of 2006, West Nile virus has been found in all the contiguous United States. Since the disease only recently swept across the country, it is not yet clear if certain regions will be more favored than others for higher incidence of West Nile virus.
return

State Radon Level Map: Radon is a naturally occurring carcinogenic gas that can accumulate within your home. Radon is odorless, tasteless and invisible, and it is a major cause of lung cancer. There is no known safe level of radon exposure. It is produced by the decay of uranium in the soil, and therefore may be present at higher concentrations in basements and connected rooms. Radon is present in almost every US state, and is found in somewhat higher concentrations across the northern half of the lower 48. The EPA assigns each county in the U.S. to one of three zones based on radon potential: Zone 1 (Highest Potential, Red zone) counties have a predicted average indoor radon screening level greater than 4 pCi/L (pico curies per liter); Zone 2 (Moderate Potential, Orange zone) counties have a predicted average indoor radon screening level between 2 and 4 pCi/L; Zone 3 (Low Potential, Yellow zone) counties have a predicted average indoor radon screening level less than 2 pCi/L.
return

Industrial

County Superfund Sites: A superfund site is a previously uncontrolled or abandoned hazardous waste site that is part of a Federal government cleanup program. There are many thousands of superfund sites across the nation, often in places formerly used for industrial activity or landfills. Often these sites were subject to chemical waste dumping for many years. The superfund program continues to decontaminate and clean these places so that human health and the environment can be protected. Superfund sites are listed here by their EPA identification code, the name of the site, the city and county, and whether the site is on the Superfund National Priorities List. Sites are listed after hazard screening and public comments about the proposed site. This guides EPA and the public in determining which sites warrant further investigation.
return

Superfund Map: This map shows sites on the Superfund National Priorities List. These sites are listed after hazard screening and public comments about the proposed site. This guides EPA and the public in determining which sites warrant further investigation. The superfund program continues to decontaminate and clean these hazardous waste sites so that human health and the environment can be protected. The pattern of sites is spread across the country, with some concentration in the eastern states because many older industries were located in those areas.
return

Nuclear Power Plants: Nuclear power plants always carry a small risk of radiation release, and with potentially serious consequences. The production and storage of radioactive waste are important pollution concerns, and plant security is an added worry. The results listed above provide information on the location of nuclear power plants near in your county. The United States produces the most commercial nuclear power of any country, with 104 generating units in 2005, providing about 20 percent of the United States' electricity (EIA/DOE). http://www.eia.doe.gov/cneaf/nuclear/page/nuc_generation/gensum.html
return

Nuclear Power Plants Map: Nuclear power plants are found across much of the eastern United States, with some plants in the western states. There are about 100 nuclear plants in the lower 48 states. This map shows the location and operating age of nuclear power plants across the nation.
return

Coal Power Plants: There are hundreds of electricity power plants in the US and most of them burn coal, oil or natural gas. These fossil fueled plants emit soot and fine particles, oxides of nitrogen and sulfur (see Acid Rain), carbon dioxide and even mercury. Exposure to these air pollutants has been related to increases in visits to doctor's offices, emergency rooms and hospitalizations, more asthma, and greater mortality. Many of the nation's power plants are decades old and the oldest among them emit a disproportionate amount of the pollution from power generation. The information above lists, if any, the coal power plants located in the county for the requested address.
return

Coal Plants - Proposed Map: At any one time there are many potential new coal power plants in the planning stage. Not all of these will become new plants, but this map shows, by state, the number of proposed new coal power plants, their capacity, and projected cost. At the time this map was made, 153 new coal plants were being considered across the country.
return

Acid Rain pH Impact: Acid rain is formed when nitrogen oxides and sulfur oxides, emitted primarily from coal-burning electrical and industrial plants, combine with precipitation to create rainfall that includes weak nitric and sulfuric acids. Acid rain can fall hundreds of miles from the pollution source, and it affects lake and stream water quality, soil chemistry, and ecosystems. Some of the particles involved in acid deposition can also directly affect human health. Rainfall acidity is expressed here as pH, a measure of how acid the water is that ranges from 0-14. Lower numbers are more acid. For example, lemon juice has a pH of about 2.5 and coffee about 5. Pure water is neutral at a pH of 7, although normal rainfall pH is naturally slightly acidic because of the dissolved carbon dioxide from the air.
return

pH Map - Acid Rain Impact Map: Acid rain is principally a problem of the Midwest and Northeast US, coinciding with the locations of major industrial and power generating plants that produce the pollutants causing the acidity. Nitrogen and sulfur oxides can be carried many miles downwind and they can combine with water in the atmosphere and fall as acid rain.
return

Air Toxics Assessment Maps - Cancer, Respiratory & Neurological Risk: Air toxics are air pollutants that are known to cause serious health problems. Air toxics are typically produced during industrial processes, and the EPA and other federal agencies issue rules and require monitoring to reduce exposure to air toxics. These maps provide information about the EPA's 1999 estimates of public health risks due to inhalation of air toxics, including both cancer and non-cancer health effects. The estimates rely on current EPA risk assessment and risk characterization guidelines and the estimated population exposures (EPA). "More than 190 million people live in census tracts where risk greater than 10 in a million resulted from known human carcinogens (Class A) alone… The respiratory hazard index was dominated by a single substance, acrolein. The respiratory hazard index exceeded 1.0 for nearly the entire U.S. population, and exceeded 10 for more than 48 million people. The neurological hazard index was similarly dominated by manganese compounds, with minor contributions by cyanide compounds, ethylene oxide, and mercury compounds. The neurological hazard index exceeded 1.0 for fewer than 800,000 people in the U.S." (EPA). See http://epa.gov/ttn/atw/nata1999/risksum.html.
return

Airports: An airport consists of one or more airfields, and is usually operated from a control tower and equipped with airplane hangers, as well as terminals for passengers and their baggage. Living close to an airport can potentially have adverse health effects from the noise, water and air (fuels and solvents) pollution they generate from aircraft takeoffs and landings. All significant airports within 5 miles of the subject property are noted for client review (this 5 mile distance criteria was randomly selected, assuming that clients all have different tolerances for living close to an airport).
return