Understanding Flood Zones and Maps
A home's flood risk can change over time due to erosion, economic growth/land development, and weather patterns.  

There is always a RISK:

High-risk flood zone:
If the flood area begins with the letters A or V on FEMA flood maps, these areas face the highest risk of flooding. If the home has a federally backed mortgage, homeowners are required to purchase and maintain the appropriate level of flood insurance as a condition of that loan. 

Homeowners who are in a high-risk area that have received FEMA assistance previously may have been provided notice of the requirement to purchase flood insurance as a condition of receiving assistance. Failure to obtain flood insurance may disqualify the homeowner from any future disaster assistance while at that property. 

Moderate- to low-risk flood zone:
If the flood area begins with letters B, C, and X on FEMA flood maps, the risk of flooding is reduced, but not completely removed.  One in three flood insurance claims come from moderate-to-low-risk flood areas.