FEMA Tweaks Flood Maps: Insurance Bills Might Rise in Your Town
Published Date: 1/21/2026
Notice
Summary
FEMA is updating flood risk maps for certain communities, which could change flood zones and rules for flood insurance. If you live or own property in these areas, these changes might affect your insurance costs and building rules. You’ve got until April 21, 2026, to check out the new maps and share your thoughts before they become official.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.
Flood map changes may alter your insurance
FEMA is proposing changes to flood maps for listed communities (Preliminary FIRM date: May 29, 2025). If you live in or own property in those areas, the changes could alter flood zones, base flood elevations, or floodway boundaries and might affect your flood insurance costs and building rules. You can inspect the preliminary maps online and submit comments by April 21, 2026.
Communities must show floodplain measures to stay in NFIP
The preliminary FIRM and FIS reports are the basis of floodplain management measures communities are required to adopt or show they already have to qualify or remain in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). If a listed community does not adopt or demonstrate the required measures, its NFIP participation status could be affected. The maps and reports are available online and at local community map repositories.
Appeals process and SRP option available
Communities and other parties can request reconsideration (an appeal) of the revised flood hazard information shown on the preliminary maps. If FEMA and a community consult for at least 60 days without resolving an appeal, the community may ask for a Scientific Resolution Panel (SRP) to review conflicting technical data; comments on the preliminary maps are due April 21, 2026.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
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).
2026-17068, 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.
2026-17077, Final Flood Hazard Determinations
Starting November 27, 2026, certain communities will see updated flood risk maps that show new or changed flood zones and water levels. These updates affect homeowners, renters, and local governments by changing flood insurance rules and building requirements. If you live in these areas, it’s time to check the new maps to stay safe and save money on insurance!
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).
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.
2026-17072, Changes in Flood Hazard Determinations
This notice lists communities where the addition or modification of Base Flood Elevations (BFEs), base flood depths, Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) boundaries or zone designations, or the regulatory floodway (hereinafter referred to as flood hazard determinations), as shown on the Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs), and where applicable, in the supporting Flood Insurance Study (FIS) reports, prepared by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for each community, is appropriate because of new scientific or technical data. The FIRM, and where applicable, portions of the FIS report, have been revised to reflect these flood hazard determinations through issuance of a Letter of Map Revision (LOMR), in accordance with Federal Regulations. The current effective community number is shown in the table below and must be used for all new policies and renewals.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2026-01056, 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 work in these areas, these changes might affect your flood insurance costs or building rules. You’ve got until April 21, 2026, to check out the new maps and share your thoughts before they become official.
Next: 2026-01058, Proposed Flood Hazard Determinations
FEMA is updating flood risk maps for several communities, which could change flood zones and insurance rules. If you live in these areas, your flood insurance costs or building rules might change. You’ve got until April 21, 2026, to check the new maps and share your thoughts before the updates become official.