Tampa Flood Zones & Evacuation Maps 2026

Updated September 2026 · 6 min read

Hillsborough County redrew its hurricane evacuation zone maps for the 2026 season, and the changes affect more properties than any update in recent memory[reference:20]. If you haven't checked your zone since last year, you may be surprised by what you find.

This guide explains what changed, the difference between evacuation zones and flood zones, and what the changes mean for your insurance costs.

What Changed in 2026

Hillsborough County updates evacuation zones every few years using new NOAA storm surge data and a parcel-by-parcel review[reference:21]. The 2026 changes include:

  • Zone A expanded in some areas. Communities like Town 'N' Country saw neighborhoods move from Zone B into Zone A — the highest-risk category, which evacuates first[reference:22].
  • Some areas moved from Zone D to Zone C. This means a higher evacuation priority than before[reference:23].
  • Previously unzoned properties are now in Zone E. If you were outside all zones before, you may now have a designated zone for the first time[reference:24].
  • The purple-coded zone now covers areas near Tampa Executive Airport that were not previously included[reference:25].
Why this matters: Evacuation zones are about water, not wind. County emergency managers emphasize that storm surge is the deadly hazard — "the water is what we see can unfortunately kill people," said Katja Miller of Hillsborough County's Office of Emergency Management[reference:26].

Evacuation Zones vs. Flood Zones: Not the Same Thing

This confuses almost everyone. They are two different systems:

  • Evacuation zones (A–E): Determined by Hillsborough County using storm surge models. They tell you when to leave during a hurricane. Zone A evacuates first, then B, and so on.
  • FEMA flood zones (X, AE, VE, etc.): Determined by FEMA using historical flood data. They tell you whether you need flood insurance and how much it costs.

You can be in a high evacuation zone (A) but a low FEMA flood zone (X), or vice versa. They serve different purposes[reference:27].

How to Check Your Zone

Hillsborough County provides an online lookup tool where you can enter your address and see your current evacuation zone. You can also register for county emergency alerts at the same time. Do this today — don't wait until a storm is in the Gulf[reference:28].

What This Means for Your Insurance

Your evacuation zone change does not directly change your insurance premium. But it's a useful signal: if your zone moved to a higher-risk category, it's worth double-checking your FEMA flood zone and your flood insurance coverage.

Standard homeowners insurance does not cover flooding. You need a separate flood policy, usually through FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Flood policies typically have a 30-day waiting period, so you cannot buy one the week before a storm.

For a full breakdown of what Hillsborough homeowners pay, see our 2026 insurance costs guide. For storm preparation steps, see our hurricane preparedness guide.

Bottom line: Hillsborough's 2026 evacuation map is different. Zone A expanded, some areas moved to higher-priority zones, and previously unzoned properties now have designations. Check your address, and review your flood insurance before hurricane season peaks.