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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