FEMA Updates Flood Maps: Check Yours Before Insurance Bills Spike
Published Date: 3/12/2025
Notice
Summary
Heads up, communities! FEMA is updating flood maps with new flood risk info based on fresh science. If you live or own property in these areas, your flood insurance rules might change soon, so check the new maps online or locally. You’ve got 90 days after local notices to ask for a review if you think the changes aren’t right—these updates could affect your insurance costs and safety plans.
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Communities must adopt floodplain measures to stay in NFIP
The FIRM and FIS report are the basis of the floodplain management measures that a community is required to adopt or show evidence of having in effect in order to qualify or remain qualified for participation in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), per 44 CFR 60.3.
Updated flood maps posted for communities
FEMA revised Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) and, where applicable, Flood Insurance Study (FIS) reports for listed communities based on new scientific or technical data. Revised map information is available for inspection online at the FEMA Map Service Center and at each community's local map repository; example finalization dates appearing in the table include Apr. 7, 2025 and May 28, 2025.
90-day window to request reconsideration
From the date of the second publication of notification in a local newspaper, any person has 90 days to request that the Deputy Associate Administrator for Insurance and Mitigation reconsider the flood hazard determinations by submitting a request through the community. The flood hazard determination information may be changed during that 90-day period.
Use new community number for policies
The notice states that the current effective community number shown in the table must be used for all new flood insurance policies and renewals for the listed communities. Insurers and agents must reference that community number for policy issuance and renewals after these determinations.
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Key Dates
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Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2025-03891, Changes in Flood Hazard Determinations
FEMA just updated flood risk maps for several communities, changing flood zones and water levels that affect insurance and building rules. If you live or own property in these areas, your flood insurance rates or requirements might change soon. These updates are final and have been public for 90 days, so get ready to check your local maps and plan ahead!
Next: 2025-03893, Changes in Flood Hazard Determinations
FEMA is updating flood maps for certain communities using new science to better show flood risks. If you live or own property in these areas, your flood insurance rules might change, possibly affecting costs. You have 90 days after local notice to ask for a review before changes become final.