FEMA Proposes Flood Zone Shifts for Public Feedback
Published Date: 12/18/2025
Notice
Summary
FEMA is updating flood risk maps for several communities, which could change flood zones and base flood levels. These updates affect homeowners, businesses, and local governments by potentially changing flood insurance rules and costs. You’ve got until March 18, 2026, to check the new maps and share your thoughts before they become official.
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.
Flood-map changes may alter homeowner insurance
FEMA is proposing updates to Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) that may change Base Flood Elevations (BFEs), Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) boundaries, and regulatory floodways. If you own a home, these map changes could change flood insurance rules and costs where you live.
Businesses in study areas may face insurance changes
FEMA's proposed flood hazard determinations for listed communities could change flood zone designations and base flood levels. If you run a small business in the affected study areas, those changes could affect flood insurance rules and costs for your property or operations.
Deadline to comment or appeal maps: March 18, 2026
You can review FEMA's Preliminary FIRMs and Flood Insurance Study reports and submit comments identified by Docket No. FEMA-B-2567. Comments must be submitted on or before March 18, 2026, if you want FEMA to consider them before the maps become official.
Scientific Resolution Panel available after 60 days
If FEMA and a community cannot resolve an appeal about flood hazard data after at least 60 days of consultation, the community may request a Scientific Resolution Panel (SRP) of experts to review conflicting technical data and recommend a resolution.
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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: 2025-23171, 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!
Next: 2025-23173, Proposed Flood Hazard Determinations
FEMA is updating flood risk maps for certain 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 18, 2026, to check the new maps and share your thoughts before they become official.