If you reside near a river, knowing whether you live on a flood plain can make a huge difference in how you and your family prepare for potential flood threats.

A flood plain is the flat or gently sloping land next to a river or stream that naturally floods when water levels rise. These areas act like a sponge, absorbing overflow during heavy rain or snowmelt. Over time, that repeated flooding shapes the landscape, creating rich soil, winding river channels and wide, open valleys.

Flood plains are essential to a river’s natural system. They reduce a broader flood risk by spreading out rising water, slowing its flow and allowing sediment to settle. This helps protect areas farther downstream and supports ecosystems that rely on seasonal flooding, like wetlands, fish habitats and farmland.

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However, flood plains also come with risk. When homes, roads or businesses are built in these zones, they can be vulnerable during major rain events. That’s why floodplain maps and zoning rules exist, to help communities plan smarter and stay safer when waters rise.

FEMA has flood zone maps, so you can see if you are in a flood plain and what your risk of river flooding is, based on your location.

Check here to see if you live on a flood plain.

Jennifer Gray is a weather and climate writer for weather.com. She has been covering some of the world's biggest weather and climate stories for the last two decades.