What are three things that can be determined from a FIRM?

The correct choice focuses on the specific information that can be derived from a Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM). A FIRM is a crucial tool used in floodplain management and provides vital data for evaluating flood risks.

Determining whether a property is in the floodplain is essential for landowners, developers, and the insurance industry. The map distinctly outlines flood zones, helping stakeholders understand their exposure to flood hazards.

Identifying the applicable flood insurance zone is another key function of a FIRM. This categorization informs property owners about the mandatory insurance requirements and the level of risk they face, which is directly related to their flood insurance premiums.

Additionally, a FIRM often includes approximate Base Flood Elevations (BFE), which indicate the expected water surface elevation during a base flood event. This information is critical for effective floodplain management, as it guides construction practices and helps ensure that buildings are elevated appropriately to mitigate flood risks.

This response encapsulates why choice B is accurate and emphasizes the relevance of a FIRM in assessing flood risks and developing appropriate floodplain management strategies. The other options either contain information that FIRM does not provide or combine unrelated concepts that are not relevant to floodplain management.