FEMA Updates Flood Maps: Your Backyard Might Need Insurance Now
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 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 risk
FEMA proposes changes to Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) that may add or modify Base Flood Elevations (BFE), base flood depth, Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) boundaries or zone designations, or regulatory floodways on the FIRM and supporting Flood Insurance Study (FIS) reports. If you live or own property in the listed communities, these map changes might change flood insurance costs and building or safety rules.
Communities must meet NFIP flood rules
The proposed flood hazard determinations are the basis of the floodplain management measures 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).
You can appeal via Scientific Resolution Panel
Communities can appeal revised flood hazard information that meets data requirements; if FEMA and the community consult for at least 60 days without resolution, the community may use a Scientific Resolution Panel (SRP) — an independent panel of experts — to review conflicting technical data and provide recommendations.
Preliminary maps available; comment deadline
Preliminary FIRMs and, where applicable, FIS reports are available for inspection online at https://hazards.fema.gov/femaportal/prelimdownload and via each community's map repository; the current effective maps are available at https://msc.fema.gov. Comments on the proposed determinations must be submitted on or before March 9, 2026 (Docket No. FEMA-B-2573).
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
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Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 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.
Next: 2025-22246, Final Flood Hazard Determinations
FEMA has finalized updates to flood risk maps for certain communities, changing flood zones and water levels that affect flood insurance rules. Homeowners, renters, and local governments in these areas will need to check the new maps by February 20, 2026, to stay protected and insured. These changes could impact insurance costs and building rules, so it’s smart to review the updates early!