FEMA Proposes Updates to Flood Risk Maps Nationwide
Published Date: 3/26/2025
Notice
Summary
FEMA is asking communities and residents to review and comment on new flood risk maps that might change flood zones, water levels, or floodway boundaries. These updates could affect flood insurance rules and costs, so it’s important for those in the listed areas to pay attention and respond by the deadline. Getting involved now helps communities stay safe and keep their flood insurance options open.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.
Communities must adopt flood rules to keep NFIP status
The preliminary FIRM and FIS reports form the basis of floodplain management measures that a community is required to adopt or show are in effect. Communities that do not adopt required floodplain management measures risk losing qualification or remaining qualified for the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). If a community loses NFIP participation, property owners there could face loss of flood insurance options or different insurance rules and costs.
Flood map changes may change your risk
FEMA is proposing changes to flood maps that may add or modify Base Flood Elevations (BFE), base flood depths, Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) boundaries or zone designations, and regulatory floodways on Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) and supporting Flood Insurance Study (FIS) reports. If you live in one of the listed communities, these map changes can change whether your property is in a high-risk area and can affect flood insurance requirements and costs. Review the proposed maps for your area so you know if your property's flood designation may change.
You can review and comment on proposed maps
FEMA is asking residents and communities to review the preliminary FIRMs and FIS reports and submit comments. If you live in a listed community, commenting gives you a chance to provide local information that could affect the final flood maps and related insurance rules. Check the materials for your community and submit comments during the official comment period.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-18404, Changes in Flood Hazard Determinations
This notice lists communities where the addition or modification of Base Flood Elevations (BFEs), base flood depths, Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) boundaries or zone designations, or the regulatory floodway (hereinafter referred to as flood hazard determinations), as shown on the Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs), and where applicable, in the supporting Flood Insurance Study (FIS) reports, prepared by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for each community, is appropriate because of new scientific or technical data. The FIRM, and where applicable, portions of the FIS report, have been revised to reflect these flood hazard determinations through issuance of a Letter of Map Revision (LOMR), in accordance with Federal Regulations. The current effective community number is shown in the table below and must be used for all new policies and renewals.
2026-18405, Changes in Flood Hazard Determinations
This notice lists communities where the addition or modification of Base Flood Elevations (BFEs), base flood depths, Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) boundaries or zone designations, or the regulatory floodway (hereinafter referred to as flood hazard determinations), as shown on the Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs), and where applicable, in the supporting Flood Insurance Study (FIS) reports, prepared by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for each community, is appropriate because of new scientific or technical data. The FIRM, and where applicable, portions of the FIS report, have been revised to reflect these flood hazard determinations through issuance of a Letter of Map Revision (LOMR), in accordance with Federal Regulations. The current effective community number is shown in the table below and must be used for all new policies and renewals.
2026-18403, Changes in Flood Hazard Determinations
New or modified Base (1-percent annual chance) Flood Elevations (BFEs), base flood depths, Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) boundaries or zone designations, and/or regulatory floodways (hereinafter referred to as flood hazard determinations) as shown on the indicated Letter of Map Revision (LOMR) for each of the communities listed in the table below are finalized. Each LOMR revises the Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs), and in some cases the Flood Insurance Study (FIS) reports, currently in effect for the listed communities.
2026-18419, Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program; Fire Prevention and Safety Grants
Firefighters and related groups can apply for grants to boost safety and training through the FY 2025 Assistance to Firefighters Grant and Fire Prevention and Safety programs. Applications were open from May 19 to June 22, 2026, helping fire departments and nonprofits get funding to protect both first responders and the public. These grants support everything from training to research, making communities safer and stronger.
2026-18406, Proposed Flood Hazard Determinations
Comments are requested on proposed flood hazard determinations, which may include additions or modifications of any Base Flood Elevation (BFE), base flood depth, Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) boundary or zone designation, or regulatory floodway on the Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs), and where applicable, in the supporting Flood Insurance Study (FIS) reports for the communities listed in the table below. The purpose of this notice is to seek general information and comment regarding the preliminary FIRM, and where applicable, the FIS report that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has provided to the affected communities. The FIRM and FIS report are the basis of the floodplain management measures that the community is required either to adopt or to show evidence of having in effect in order to qualify or remain qualified for participation in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).
2026-18409, Final Flood Hazard Determinations
Flood hazard determinations, which may include additions or modifications of Base Flood Elevations (BFEs), base flood depths, Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) boundaries or zone designations, or regulatory floodways on the Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) and where applicable, in the supporting Flood Insurance Study (FIS) reports have been made final for the communities listed in the table below. The FIRM and FIS report are the basis of the floodplain management measures that a community is required either to adopt or to show evidence of having an effect in order to qualify or remain qualified for participation in the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA's) National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2025-05122, Proposed Flood Hazard Determinations; Correction
FEMA goofed on a flood risk table for Berrien County, Michigan, and now they’re fixing it! If you live or work there, this updated info shows the correct flood hazard zones. Keep an eye out because these changes could affect flood insurance and planning soon.
Next: 2025-05124, Changes in Flood Hazard Determinations
Some communities just got updated flood maps that show new flood risks and zones. These changes affect homeowners, businesses, and local officials by changing where flood insurance is needed and how much it might cost. The updates are official now, so folks should check their new flood zones and get ready for any insurance or building rule changes.