The best way to prepare for a flood is in the planning stage of a new home. FLASH recommends an evaluation and inspection of your homesite and lot prior to construction to determine the flood zone and the Base Flood Elevation or BFE. The BFE refers to the elevation associated with the “100-year flood,” or a flood with a 1% chance of occurrence in any given year. The “100-year flood” patterns form the basis for the National Flood Insurance Program rates and regulatory floodplain management.