FEMA Updates Flood Maps: Surprise Insurance Hits for Homeowners Ahead
Published Date: 12/8/2025
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’ve got until March 9, 2026, to check out the new maps and share your thoughts before they become official.
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.
Flood-map changes may alter your costs
FEMA proposes changes to flood maps that may add or change Base Flood Elevations (BFEs), base flood depths, Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) boundaries or regulatory floodways for listed communities (examples shown for Cochise County and Pima County, Arizona). If you live in or own property in these areas, those map changes might change your flood insurance costs and the building rules that apply to your property.
Communities must meet NFIP mapping rules
The Preliminary Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) and Flood Insurance Study (FIS) reports are the basis of floodplain management measures communities must adopt or show they have in effect to qualify or remain qualified for the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) under 44 CFR 60.3. That can lead to new or enforced local building and floodplain rules for residents in those communities.
You can review maps and comment by March 9, 2026
Preliminary FIRMs and FIS reports are available online at https://hazards.fema.gov/femaportal/prelimdownload and at local community map repositories. You have until March 9, 2026 to submit comments or appeals (Docket No. FEMA-B-2568) about the proposed flood hazard determinations.
Scientific Resolution Panel available after 60 days
If a community and FEMA cannot resolve an appeal through at least 60 days of collaborative consultation, the community may request a Scientific Resolution Panel (SRP) to review conflicting technical data and provide recommendations. SRP information is available at https://www.floodsrp.org/pdfs/srp_overview.pdf.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
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Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2025-22242, Proposed Flood Hazard Determinations
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’ve got until March 9, 2026, to check the new maps and share your thoughts before they become official.
Next: 2025-22244, Proposed Flood Hazard Determinations
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’ve got until March 9, 2026, to check out the new maps and share your thoughts before they become official.