Flood Map Changes Hit Communities' Insurance Wallets
Published Date: 12/18/2025
Notice
Summary
FEMA is updating flood risk maps for certain communities using new science and data. These changes affect flood zones, flood heights, and insurance rules, so homeowners and businesses in those areas should check the new maps. People have 90 days after local notice to ask for a review, and these updates could impact flood insurance costs and requirements soon.
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 1 costs, 2 mixed.
Map updates change flood risk rules
FEMA revised Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) and Flood Insurance Study (FIS) reports for listed communities to update Base Flood Elevations, base flood depths, Special Flood Hazard Area boundaries or zone designations, and regulatory floodways. These map changes are finalized on the dates shown in the table (examples in the table include dates from Jan. 2, 2026 through Feb. 17, 2026) and could affect flood insurance requirements and costs for homeowners and businesses in those communities.
Maps set minimum local flood rules
FEMA states the revised FIRMs and FIS reports form the basis of the floodplain management measures communities must adopt or show evidence of having in effect to qualify or remain qualified for the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), pursuant to 44 CFR 60.3. Communities may keep or adopt stricter ordinances, but these are the minimum required measures.
90‑day window to request map review
After the second newspaper notice in your area, you have 90 days to ask your community to request that FEMA reconsider the flood hazard determination. Any changes to the flood hazard determination information may occur during that 90-day period.
Use current community number for policies
The notice states that the current effective community number shown in the table must be used for all new flood insurance policies and renewals for the listed communities. This is the reference FEMA requires insurers and communities to use when issuing or renewing policies.
Where to inspect revised flood data
Revised flood hazard information and the current effective FIRM and FIS reports are available online at the FEMA Map Service Center (https://msc.fema.gov) and at the community map repository addresses listed in the table. You should inspect these locations to compare revised maps with the current effective maps.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-17075, 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).
2026-17069, 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).
2026-17071, 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.
2026-17076, 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).
2026-17125, Agency Information Collection Activities: Submission for OMB Review, Comment Request; Threat and Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment (THIRA)/Stakeholder Preparedness Review (SPR) Unified Reporting Tool
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will submit the information collection abstracted below to the Office of Management and Budget for review and clearance in accordance with the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. FEMA invites the general public to take this opportunity to comment on an extension, without change, of a currently approved information collection. In accordance with the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice seeks comments concerning this annual requirement for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), FEMA to identify current capability levels for all States, territories, urban areas, and Tribes receiving non-disaster preparedness grant funds administered by DHS.
2026-17078, 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: 2025-23169, Changes in Flood Hazard Determinations
FEMA is updating flood risk maps for certain communities using new science and data. If you live in these areas, your flood insurance rules might change soon, so check the updated maps and act fast if you want to appeal. These changes take effect after local notices, and you’ve got 90 days to speak up before they’re final.
Next: 2025-23171, Changes in Flood Hazard Determinations
FEMA is updating flood risk maps for certain communities using new science and data. If you live in these areas, your flood insurance rules might change soon, so check the updated maps online or locally. You’ve got 90 days after local notice to ask for a review, so don’t wait if you think the changes aren’t right!