Proposed FEMA Flood Maps Open for Public Comments Until June
Published Date: 3/12/2025
Notice
Summary
FEMA is updating flood risk maps for certain communities, which could change flood zones and base flood levels. If you live or own property in these areas, these changes might affect your flood insurance and local rules. You’ve got until June 10, 2025, to share your thoughts before the updates become official.
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 3 costs, 0 mixed.
Flood maps may change insurance rules
FEMA is proposing changes to Flood Insurance Rate Maps that could add or modify Base Flood Elevations (BFE), base flood depths, Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) boundaries or zone designations, or regulatory floodways. If your property is in the affected areas, these map changes might affect whether you must buy flood insurance or how local floodplain rules apply to your property. You can comment on the proposed changes by June 10, 2025.
Specific Georgia communities listed
The notice lists specific affected communities in Georgia under Project 18-04-0002S (Preliminary Date: July 25, 2024), including Decatur County and its cities (Attapulgus, Bainbridge, Climax, Brinson, and unincorporated areas) and Dougherty County (City of Albany and unincorporated areas). If you live or own property in these named places, the proposed flood hazard determinations apply to your property and could change flood insurance and local requirements.
Appeals and Scientific Resolution Panel option
If you or your community disagree with the revised flood information on the Preliminary FIRM and FIS, you may request reconsideration as an appeal if you meet the data requirements in 44 CFR 67.6(b). If FEMA and the local community consult for at least 60 days without reaching agreement, the community may request use of a Scientific Resolution Panel (SRP) to resolve technical disputes.
Maps set minimum NFIP requirements for communities
FEMA states that the Preliminary FIRM and FIS reports form the basis of the floodplain management measures that a community must adopt or demonstrate to remain qualified for participation in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Communities may keep stricter rules, but these map-based measures are the minimum required.
Where to see maps and how to comment
Preliminary Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) and Flood Insurance Study (FIS) reports are available for inspection online at https://hazards.fema.gov/femaportal/prelimdownload and at the community map repositories listed in the notice; current effective maps are available at https://msc.fema.gov. You may submit comments (Docket No. FEMA-B-2509) to FEMA (contact: Rick Sacbibit) on or before June 10, 2025.
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Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2025-03896, Proposed Flood Hazard Determinations
FEMA is updating flood risk maps for several communities, changing flood zones and water levels that affect flood insurance rules. If you live or own property in these areas, these changes could impact your insurance and building rules. You’ve got until June 10, 2025, to check the new maps and share your thoughts before they become official.
Next: 2025-03898, Final Flood Hazard Determinations
Starting June 18, 2025, certain communities will have updated flood risk maps showing new or changed flood zones and water levels. These updates affect homeowners, renters, and local governments who must follow new flood safety rules to stay in the National Flood Insurance Program. The changes help keep everyone safer and may impact flood insurance costs and building plans.