FEMA Opens Another Round of Flood Map Comment Season
Published Date: 5/22/2025
Notice
Summary
FEMA is updating flood risk maps for several communities, which could change flood zones and base flood levels. If your community is affected, these updates might impact flood insurance rules and costs. You’ve got until August 20, 2025, to check the new maps and share your thoughts before changes become official.
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.
Flood-map changes may alter insurance costs
If you own or rent property in the listed communities (Carroll County, NH — Project 16-01-0279S, Preliminary Date: January 05, 2024; Douglas County, WI — Project 14-05-2824S, Preliminary Date: December 02, 2024), FEMA’s proposed updates to the Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) could change Base Flood Elevations (BFEs), base flood depth, Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) boundaries or zone designations, or regulatory floodways. If your community is affected, these updates might change flood insurance rules and costs.
Communities must meet NFIP mapping-based rules
The Preliminary FIRM and Flood Insurance Study (FIS) report are the basis for floodplain management measures that a community must adopt or show evidence of having in effect to qualify or remain qualified for participation in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) under 44 CFR 60.3.
You can inspect maps and submit comments by Aug 20, 2025
You can inspect the Preliminary FIRM and FIS reports online at https://hazards.fema.gov/femaportal/prelimdownload and at the listed Community Map Repository addresses; the current effective FIRM and FIS are at https://msc.fema.gov for comparison. You may submit comments identified by Docket No. FEMA-B-2521 to Rick Sacbibit (FEMA) by mail to 400 C Street SW, Washington, DC 20472, by phone at (202) 646-7659, or by email to [email protected] on or before August 20, 2025.
Scientific Resolution Panels available for disputes
Communities may request use of a Scientific Resolution Panel (SRP) to help resolve conflicting technical data, but SRP use may occur only after FEMA and local communities have engaged in a collaborative consultation process for at least 60 days without a mutually acceptable resolution. SRPs review hydrology, hydraulics, and other science and provide recommendations.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
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