Two kinds of maps matter when you live in Tampa, and newcomers mix them up all the time. Evacuation zones tell you whether you may be ordered to leave during a hurricane. Flood zones describe the flood risk to a property at any time of year and affect insurance and building rules. Hillsborough County itself stresses that the two are not the same. This guide explains the difference and how to look up both for your address.
Key takeaways
- Evacuation zones (A to E in Hillsborough County) are based on storm surge risk and drive evacuation orders.
- Flood zones come from federal flood maps and affect insurance requirements and building rules.
- You can be outside an evacuation zone and still face flood risk, and the reverse.
Evacuation zones
Hillsborough County divides coastal and low-lying areas into evacuation zones labeled A through E. The zones are based mainly on the risk of storm surge from hurricanes, drawing on work by the National Hurricane Center. Zone A is the most vulnerable and the first to be ordered out; Zone E is the least vulnerable of the zones. Some parts of the county are not in any evacuation zone.
For the 2026 hurricane season, the county updated its zones based on recent storms, expanding some zones further inland in areas such as parts of Apollo Beach and Town ‘n’ Country. If you looked up your zone in a previous year, check it again.
Flood zones
Flood zones are set by federal flood insurance rate maps. They describe the risk of flooding from any source, such as heavy rain, rivers or the sea, at any time of year. They are used to decide whether flood insurance is required for a federally backed mortgage, how much federal flood insurance costs and what building standards apply. A high-risk zone does not mean you will be told to evacuate; it means flooding is more likely there.
The two compared
| Evacuation zone | Flood zone | |
|---|---|---|
| Set by | Hillsborough County (based on surge modeling) | Federal flood maps |
| Based on | Storm surge from hurricanes | Flood risk from any source, any time |
| Used for | Deciding who is ordered to evacuate | Insurance requirements, pricing and building rules |
| Labels | Zones A to E, or no zone | Letter codes for high, moderate and low risk |
| Where to look | County evacuation zone tool | Federal flood map service |
Tip: Write your evacuation zone on a note on the fridge and save it in your phone. When officials announce orders by zone, you will not have to look it up in a hurry.
Why both matter
A home can be outside an evacuation zone but in an area that floods in heavy rain. Another can be in an evacuation zone but on higher ground within it. Checking both gives you a fuller picture of the risks to your safety and your property. When choosing a home, look up both, ask about the property’s flood history and get insurance quotes.
How to look them up
- Evacuation zone: search your address on Hillsborough County’s evacuation information tool, or the City of Tampa’s zone map.
- Flood zone: search your address on the federal flood map service.
- Keep a record of both, and check the evacuation zone again at the start of each hurricane season.
Who needs to pay most attention
- Anyone living near Tampa Bay, Old Tampa Bay or the rivers.
- Residents of mobile or manufactured homes, which are often told to evacuate regardless of zone.
- Homebuyers comparing properties and insurance costs.
What to do with your zone
Once you know your evacuation zone, make a simple plan. Decide where you would go if your zone is ordered to evacuate: ideally a friend or relative outside the zone, or a hotel inland. Public shelters are a last resort. Keep a basic kit ready and your car’s tank at least half full during the season.
Once you know your flood zone, use it when you choose insurance. Even in a moderate- or low-risk zone, flood insurance for your home or belongings is worth considering.
Common mistakes
The most common mistake is assuming that being outside a high-risk flood zone means you will never need to evacuate, or that being outside an evacuation zone means you cannot flood. The second is relying on a zone checked years ago; zones and maps change.
Frequently asked questions
What is my evacuation zone in Tampa?
Look up your address on the Hillsborough County or City of Tampa evacuation zone tools.
Is Zone A the same as a flood zone?
No. Zone A is an evacuation zone for storm surge. Flood zones use separate federal letter codes.
Do evacuation zones change?
Yes. Hillsborough County updated its zones for 2026. Check your address every season.
For storm preparation, read Hurricane Season in Tampa: A Plain-English Guide for Newcomers. For coverage, see Flood Insurance Basics for New Tampa Residents.