Home Overview PDF FAQ Stories

InterFlood is the fastest, easiest way to get a flood map.  All you have to do is type an address to get a map.  If you have WinTOTAL, we even give you one-click integration. Plus it's inexpensive and nationwide.

Okay, on to some boring stuff.   Many of us are skeptical in nature and we have those technical questions buzzing in our minds.   Well, here's the top frequently asked questions.

Feel free to contact us if you have additional questions.

	In which areas does InterFlood have flood map coverage?
	We have 99.96% up-to-date coverage of the entire US, its territories and protectorates.  Unlike Q3 flood maps, which cover only 1,293 counties, InterFlood flood maps cover each of the 3,141 counties in the U.S. That's over 114,000 flood maps online.  If FEMA has a map for your area, then we have it.
	How do I get InterFlood technical support?
	If you have any trouble using InterFlood flood maps, we hope the questions and answers in this FAQ will resolve any problems you may experience. However, if the information in this page does not answer your questions, please call us at 1-800-ALAMODE or click here to go to our Online Support Kiosk to submit your questions and or support requests online. The click here would go to: https://www.alamode.com/support/kiosk/.
	How often are InterFlood flood maps updated?
	InterFlood flood maps are updated at a minimum once each month, averaging about 275 updates per month.
	Why does InterFlood show more than one map for my property location?
	This happens when FEMA produces flood maps that overlap or when a property is close to the boundary of a flood map.  Properties near the boundary of a flood map may actually be on an adjoining flood map due to inaccuracies in the geocoding methods used to determine property locations. You can view each of the maps and decide which one you want to use.  Your InterFlood map account is only decremented for a single map view.
	Why is my property placed in the wrong place on the location map?
	Geocoding software can sometimes produce property geocoordinates (latitude and longitude) that are inaccurate to a distance of 500ft.  This inaccuracy is actually very small when you consider the irregularity of property shapes, street placement, block numbering, etc.  InterFlood shows you the geocoded property placement on a location map so you can verify that the property was properly geocoded.  If your property is in the wrong location, simply click the map to adjust the property placement.
	Why doesn't InterFlood find a flood map for my property?
	Some communities do not participate in the FEMA flood mapping program.  InterFlood automatically logs any property locations for which no flood maps were found.  These logs are then sent to our data provider, FloodSource, for resolution of any problems which may have prevented InterFlood from providing a flood map.
	How do I use InterFlood flood maps with my appraisal software?
	WinTOTAL by a la mode  For WinTOTAL Aurora users, you'll need to first configure WinTOTAL to work with InterFlood: 1. Open WinTOTAL and select Options, Configure WinTOTAL Settings from the menus. 2. In the screen that appears, click the Flood icon in the toolbar. 3. Enter your Interflood account number or a la mode Username and Password. 4. Click Save to save your changes. To get a map for your report, follow these steps: 1. Open a report in WinTOTAL and click the Maps icon in the upper right corner of the screen. 2. Click the drop-down arrow beside the New Map button in the toolbar and choose to retrieve a flood map. 3. When the Maps Wizard appears, verify the location of the subject in the map that appears and click Next. 4. When your flood map appears, annotate it as you see fit and click Finish to place the map in your report. For WinTOTAL Athena users, you'll also need to configure WinTOTAL to work with InterFlood: 1. Open WinTOTAL and and from the toolbar, select, Tools and then Configure. 2. Then use the scroll bar to locate the InterFlood icon and click on it. 3. Enter your account information in the area supplied. To get a map for your report, follow these steps: 1. Open a report and go to the Maps Powerview. 2. Download a location map and verify the placement of the subject's annotation. 3. Click the InterFlood button located near the top of the window. (A window will appear with a flood map.) 4. Once you have located the map you want, click Place in Report, and it will be appended into your current report. ACI Rapid Report or Polaroid Forms Right click on the flood map displayed in your Internet browser and select Copy. In Rapid Report or Polaroid Forms click on the File menu and select Add/Remove Forms while in an open report. Select the appropriate map form from the Forms Pool list box in which to place the flood map and click the → (right arrow) button to add the form to your report.  Click the Save Report button. While on the new form right click in the map area on the new form and select Paste. Day One Nova Forms  Right click on the flood map displayed in your Internet browser and select Copy. In Nova Forms click on the File menu and select Open Addendum while in an open report. In the Available Attachments list box scroll down to Maps - Additional Addenda, click the plus to display the sub items, and select the Flood Map Addendum attachment.  Click OK. While on the Flood Map Addendum form right click in the map area and select Paste. United Systems HighPerForm Right click on the flood map displayed in your Internet browser and select Save Picture As...  Select Bitmap in the Save as type dropdown at the bottom and click Save.  Be sure to remember where you saved the image and what you named it. In HighPerForm click the Forms in this Report button at the upper left while in an open report. Click the Add/Remove Forms button to display the Contents of the Report dialogue. Open the Common Addenda Forms Package folder in the list box on the left.  Select the Flood Map form, click Add and then click OK. Click the Forms in this Report button again, and double click the Flood Map form from the list. Click in the map area on the Flood Map form.  Select the Import a File option from the dialogue that appears and click Browse.  Navigate to and select the flood map bitmap image you saved in step one and click OK. Appraise IT Right click on the flood map displayed in your Internet browser and select Save Picture As...  Select Bitmap in the Save as type dropdown at the bottom and click Save.  Be sure to remember where you saved the image and what you named it. In Appraise IT click the Contents menu, select Mapping and Sketch Addenda, and choose Flood Map Page from the sub menu. Double click in the map area on the Flood Map Page form.  Click the Browse button.  Navigate to and select the flood map bitmap image you saved in step one and click OK. General Instructions Some software packages allow you to insert a map by copying and pasting from the clipboard.  To insert a map from the clipboard follow these instructions. Right click on the flood map displayed in your Internet browser and select Copy. In your appraisal software package add a map form on which you would like to display your InterFlood flood map. Right click in the map area (most software) on the map page you inserted and select Paste.  Some software packages require that you specifically select an Insert from Clipboard feature to perform this task. Most software packages also allow you to insert a map into your report from a file.  To insert a map from a file follow these instructions. Right click on the flood map displayed in your Internet browser, and select Save Picture As...  Select Bitmap in the Save as type dropdown at the bottom and click Save.  Be sure to remember where you saved the image and what you named it. In your appraisal software package, add a map form on which you would like to display your InterFlood flood map. Select the Import from File feature from your software package, and then navigate to and select the flood map bitmap image you saved in step one.
	Why does InterFlood keep prompting me to login?
	InterFlood uses several security features of your Internet browser to prevent unscrupulous users from generating flood maps without a valid contract.  Two of these features are referer strings, and cookies.  Some firewalls block referer strings and cookies.  To use InterFlood you will need to configure your firewall to allow referer strings and cookies for InterFlood.com and alamode.com.  Be sure to make these configuration settings for the domain part of the Internet address only (i.e. use InterFlood.com instead of www.InterFlood.com)
	How do I save or print a flood map?
	To save a flood map, simply right click the map, select Save Picture As, and type in the file name. To print a flood map, simply right click the map and select Print Picture. Then click the Print button in the Print dialog.
	Can I get InterFlood on CD?
	No.  We do not offer InterFlood on CD because Internet mapping is more convenient in several ways.  Internet mapping is much more up to date than CD mapping.  FEMA flood maps change constantly.  In turn, CDs may be out of date the day they are shipped, where as InterFlood always has the most current maps made available.  CDs don't geocode your property and automatically place your subject on the correct map. InterFlood does.  Another drawback to offering CDs is that with CDs there are usually fees per state or per county.  Those additional fees aren't necessary with online mapping.
	Other than the actual flood map, what other information does InterFlood provide?
	With any InterFlood purchase, you will receive the Census Tract, Map Number, Map Panel Number, Map Effective Date, Flood Zone, Standardized USPS address, county name and community number for the properties for which you would like to retrieve a flood map.
	What are the different flood hazard zone designations and what do they mean?
	To learn more about what the different flood zone designations mean, please visit FEMA's website for a complete explanation.
	What's the source of InterFlood flood maps?
	InterFlood flood maps are scanned from official FEMA paper flood maps at 400 dpi and digitally enhanced for computer use.
	What is an Exact Match or Zip Code Fallback geocode result?
	An Exact Match means that InterFlood found exact geocoordinates (latitude and longitude) for the property address you entered.  A Zip Code Fallback means that InterFlood was unable to find the geocoordinates for the property address you entered but did find geocoordinates for the property zip code.  When this happens, InterFlood marks the center of the zip code area on the location map.  You can then simply click the correct location on the map to place your property exactly.
	What is Q3 data?
	“Q3” is digital flood data from FEMA for about 1300 counties nationwide (out of more than 3100 total). FEMA’s own web site makes it clear that Q3 data is not for individual property determinations — it was designed for community level analysis only, and was taken from their large overview maps. Yet, even though FEMA gives this clear warning, many CD and online flood map companies use Q3 data as their primary source of flood maps.