FEMA Updates Flood Maps: Your Insurance Rates Might Just Soar
Published Date: 11/20/2025
Notice
Summary
FEMA is updating flood risk maps for several communities, which could change flood zones and water levels used for insurance and safety rules. If you live or own property in these areas, these changes might affect your flood insurance costs and building rules. You have until February 18, 2026, to review and comment on these updates before they become official.
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.
Flood Map Changes May Affect Your Property
FEMA proposes changes to flood maps (Base Flood Elevations, flood zone boundaries, regulatory floodways) for communities in Strafford County, New Hampshire (Project 16-01-1139S; Preliminary Date: September 27, 2024). If you live in or own property in these areas, the changes might affect your flood insurance costs and building rules once they become official.
Communities Must Meet NFIP Floodplain Rules
The Preliminary Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) and Flood Insurance Study (FIS) reports are the basis for the floodplain management measures communities must adopt or show are in effect to qualify or remain in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). This may require local governments to adopt or maintain regulatory measures tied to the revised maps.
Scientific Resolution Panels Available for Appeals
If FEMA and a community cannot resolve an appeal after at least 60 days of collaborative consultation, the community may request a Scientific Resolution Panel (SRP) to review conflicting technical data and provide recommendations. Additional SRP information is available at https://www.floodsrp.org/pdfs/srp_overview.pdf.
Preliminary Maps Available for Review Online
Preliminary FIRMs and FIS reports for the listed communities are available for inspection at https://hazards.fema.gov/femaportal/prelimdownload and at the community map repository addresses in the notice. You can review these documents before the comment deadline of February 18, 2026.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-15944, 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.
2026-15946, 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.
2026-15943, 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).
2026-15942, 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).
2026-15938, 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).
2026-15941, 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: 2025-20377, Changes in Flood Hazard Determinations
FEMA just updated 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, your flood insurance rates or requirements might change soon. These updates are final and already published, so check your local map or online to see how it impacts you and your wallet.
Next: 2025-20379, Competitive Postal Products
The Postal Service is changing prices for some international mail going to French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique, and Reunion starting January 18, 2026. This affects both regular and competitive mail products. The Postal Regulatory Commission is asking the public to share their thoughts by December 5, 2025, to make sure these changes are fair and clear.