Flood Insurance Rules Shift with New Map Finals
Published Date: 4/17/2025
Notice
Summary
The government just updated flood risk maps for certain communities, changing flood zone boundaries and water levels. If you live or own property in these areas, these changes could affect your flood insurance and building rules. Communities must act quickly to stay in the flood insurance program and keep their protection in place.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.
Flood Map Changes Affect Insurance
If you live or own property in the communities listed in this notice, FEMA finalized changes to flood maps that modify Base Flood Elevations (BFEs), base flood depths, Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) boundaries or zone designations, and regulatory floodways on Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) and in Flood Insurance Study (FIS) reports. These map changes could affect your flood insurance requirements and local building or floodplain development rules.
Communities Must Act To Keep NFIP
Communities listed must adopt, or show evidence of having adopted, the floodplain management measures based on the new FIRMs and FIS reports in order to qualify or remain qualified for participation in FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Communities must act quickly to stay in the NFIP so residents can keep access to its flood insurance and related protections.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-17073, 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).
2026-17072, 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.
2026-17077, Final Flood Hazard Determinations
Starting November 27, 2026, certain communities will see updated flood risk maps that show new or changed flood zones and water levels. These updates affect homeowners, renters, and local governments by changing flood insurance rules and building requirements. If you live in these areas, it’s time to check the new maps to stay safe and save money on insurance!
2026-17070, 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.
2026-17069, 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).
2026-17074, 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).
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2025-06600, Final Flood Hazard Determinations
New flood hazard rules are now final for certain communities, changing flood risk maps and rules that affect homes and businesses near water. These updates might change insurance costs and building rules, so folks in these areas should pay attention. The changes help keep communities safe and eligible for federal flood insurance programs starting right away.
Next: 2025-06602, Proposed Flood Hazard Determinations
FEMA is asking for your thoughts on new flood risk maps that could change flood zones and water levels in certain communities. These updates might affect flood insurance rules and costs, so it’s important for local folks and property owners to pay attention. You’ve got a chance to comment before the changes become official, so don’t miss out!