Real-time FEMA flood zones, NWS flood alerts, USGS river gauges, and NEXRAD radar. Free, no account required.
⚠ Important Disclaimer
FloodSight displays flood hazard data sourced from FEMA and NOAA for informational purposes only. This app is not a substitute for official emergency management guidance. Data may be delayed, incomplete, or inaccurate. FloodSight, its developers, and contributors accept no liability for any loss, damage, injury, or harm arising from use of this application. Always follow instructions from local emergency management authorities.
FloodSight is a free, no-account-required flood awareness tool that puts real-time hazard data directly in your hands. By combining data from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the National Weather Service (NWS), and the United States Geological Survey (USGS), FloodSight lets anyone instantly see the flood risk for any address in the United States — whether you are evaluating a home purchase, preparing for a storm, or just staying informed about conditions near a loved one.
What Data Does FloodSight Show?
FEMA Flood Zones — The National Flood Hazard Layer (NFHL) defines the official flood risk for every parcel of land in America. FloodSight renders these zones live on the map, color-coded by risk level. Zone A and AE areas face a 1% annual chance of flooding (the "100-year flood"). Coastal zones V and VE are subject to storm surge and wave action. Zone X areas carry reduced or minimal risk. Knowing your zone can affect your flood insurance requirements and your family's safety planning.
USGS Stream Network & River Gauges — The USGS operates thousands of real-time stream gauges across the country. FloodSight displays these sensors as color-coded markers showing current water levels: green for normal, yellow for action stage, orange for minor flooding, red for moderate flooding, and dark red for major flood events. When a gauge rises to action or flood stage, it means water is approaching or overflowing riverbanks in that area.
NWS Flood Alerts — The National Weather Service issues flood watches, warnings, and advisories when conditions are dangerous. FloodSight pulls these alerts automatically and displays them for your current location or any searched address.
NEXRAD Radar — Live precipitation radar from NOAA lets you see exactly where heavy rain is falling right now — an essential complement to the static flood zone data.
Tidal Predictions — For coastal locations, FloodSight retrieves NOAA tide station data to show upcoming high tide times and heights, helping you understand how tidal cycles interact with storm surge risk.
Why Does This Matter?
Flooding is the most common and costly natural disaster in the United States. According to FEMA, just one inch of water inside a home can cause over $25,000 in damage. Yet many people are unaware of their flood zone designation or the real-time conditions in their area. Standard mapping apps do not show flood hazards. Government sites often require navigating complex portals. FloodSight bridges that gap — providing the same official FEMA and USGS data in a clean, fast, mobile-friendly interface that anyone can use in seconds.
How to Use FloodSight
Accept the disclaimer and tap Open FloodSight.
Allow location access to automatically center the map on your current location, or type any U.S. city, address, or ZIP code into the search bar.
Tap anywhere on the map to see the official FEMA flood zone, ground elevation, and any active NWS alerts for that point.
Use the layer panel to toggle USGS stream networks, live radar, river gauges, and wetland overlays.
Save important locations (like your home, workplace, or family members' addresses) for quick one-tap access.
FloodSight is an independent project. It is not affiliated with FEMA, NOAA, or the USGS. Data is sourced directly from official government APIs and is provided for informational purposes only. Learn more about FloodSight →