How to Find Flood History for a Property?

[Lauren Juarez]

I am making an offer on a property for a live-in flip/BRRRR. I am confused about:

(1) whether the property is or is not within the 100-year floodplain and

(2) why would the seller state that he “recently found out” that the property is not in the floodplain when the survey shows that it is?

On the Seller's Disclosure Notice, the seller marked:

YES for present flood insurance coverage (handwritten note: but property is not in a flood zone)

YES for located wholly/partly in a 100-year floodplain (handwritten note: (1) have paid insurance for (10) years for 100 year flood plain. (2) Just recently found out property is not in the 100 year flood plain.)

Under the Notes section on the Survey:

According to F.E.M.A. Flood Insurance Rate Map, part of this property does appear to lie within a 100-year flood plain as shown.

According to the FEMA website, part of the property is indeed within the flood zone.

Is there somewhere I can go to learn about the flood history for a certain property and/or area?

Thank you in advance!