FEMA redraws flood zones: Is your home swimming in new risks?
Published Date: 12/18/2025
Notice
Summary
FEMA has finalized updates to flood risk maps for certain communities, changing flood zones and water levels to better protect homes and businesses. These changes take effect on March 17, 2026, and could affect flood insurance costs and building rules. If you live or own property in these areas, it’s time to check the new maps and get ready!
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.
Flood map changes may alter insurance costs
FEMA finalized new flood maps for listed communities (including Bridgeport, NE; City of Franklin and parts of Southampton County, VA; and Langlade County, WI) that take effect March 17, 2026. These map changes (for example, Base Flood Elevations, SFHA boundaries, and regulatory floodways) could change flood insurance costs for homes and businesses in those areas.
Communities must meet NFIP floodplain rules
The new Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) and Flood Insurance Study (FIS) reports are the basis for floodplain management measures that each listed community is required to adopt or show have effect so the community can qualify or remain qualified for the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). This requirement applies to the communities named in the notice.
New maps available—owners should review
The final FIRMs and FIS reports for the listed communities will be available for inspection at local community map repositories and online via the FEMA Map Service Center by March 17, 2026, and interested property owners and lessees are encouraged to review the new maps and reports.
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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: 2025-23173, 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.
Next: 2025-23175, Quarterly Rail Cost Adjustment Factor
The Surface Transportation Board just approved new cost numbers that show how much it costs railroads to run their trains. These numbers, called the Rail Cost Adjustment Factor, will take effect starting January 1, 2026, and help set fair prices for rail services. Big rail companies and anyone who uses their services will feel the impact as costs get updated every quarter.