FEMA Updates Flood Maps, Insurance Rates May Shift
Published Date: 1/21/2026
Notice
Summary
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.
Analyzed Economic Effects
6 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 3 mixed.
Flood maps may change your costs
FEMA is updating flood risk maps for listed communities, and those map changes could change flood zones, flood insurance costs, or local building rules for people who live there. If you live in an affected area, these changes could affect whether you need flood insurance or what rules apply to building or rebuilding on your property.
Communities must meet NFIP rules
The Preliminary FIRM and FIS reports are the basis for floodplain management measures that a community is required to adopt or show it already has to qualify or remain in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). These determinations are the minimum required; communities may keep or adopt stricter rules.
Worth County, IA listed for update
Worth County, Iowa and its incorporated areas are listed in the notice (Project 24-07-0039S) with a Preliminary FIRM date of September 10, 2025; community map repository addresses for cities and unincorporated areas are provided. If you live in any listed Worth County community, the proposed determinations apply to you and you can inspect the materials or comment.
You can comment by April 21, 2026
You may submit comments on the proposed flood hazard determinations on or before April 21, 2026. FEMA provides online access to the Preliminary FIRM and FIS reports and gives contact details for submitting comments (Docket No. FEMA-B-2579).
Appeals and SRP review available
Communities or stakeholders can request reconsideration (an appeal) under 44 CFR 67.6(b). If FEMA and the local community consult for at least 60 days without a mutually acceptable resolution, the use of a Scientific Resolution Panel (SRP) is available to review conflicting technical data.
Preliminary maps and reports are public
The Preliminary Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) and Flood Insurance Study (FIS) reports are available online at https://hazards.fema.gov/femaportal/prelimdownload, and current effective maps are available at https://msc.fema.gov. Community map repository addresses for inspection are listed for each affected community.
Your PRIA Score
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Sign up for a PRIA Policy Scan to see your personalized alignment score for this federal register document and every other regulation we track. We analyze your financial profile against policy provisions to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-11826 — Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection, Comment Request; FEMA Inspection and Claims Forms
FEMA wants to update its inspection and claims forms to make things easier and faster for people applying for disaster help. This affects anyone filing a claim or getting an inspection after a disaster. They’re asking for your feedback before making changes, with no new costs or deadlines yet.
2026-11673 — Final Flood Hazard Determinations
Starting July 21, 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 officials who must follow new rules to stay in the National Flood Insurance Program. The changes could impact insurance costs and building plans, so everyone should check the updated maps online or at local offices.
2026-11676 — Changes in Flood Hazard Determinations
FEMA is updating flood risk maps for certain communities based on new science, which could change flood zones and insurance rules. If you live or own property in these areas, your flood insurance costs or requirements might change soon. You have 90 days after local notice to ask for a review before the updates become final.
2026-11679 — Proposed Flood Hazard Determinations
FEMA is updating flood risk maps for several communities, which could change flood zones and insurance rules. If you live or own property in these areas, these changes might affect your flood insurance costs and building rules. You have until September 9, 2026, to review and comment on the proposed updates before they become official.
2026-11675 — Changes in Flood Hazard Determinations
FEMA just updated flood risk maps for several communities, changing flood zones and water levels that affect flood insurance rules. If you live or own property in these areas, your insurance rates or building rules might change soon. These updates are final and already published, so check your local map or online to see how it impacts you and your wallet.
2026-11672 — 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 follow new flood safety rules starting August 4, 2026. These changes could impact insurance costs and building requirements, so it’s a good idea to check the updated maps online or at local offices.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2026-01057 — Proposed Flood Hazard Determinations
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.
Next: 2026-01060 — Notice of OFAC Sanctions Actions
The U.S. Treasury’s OFAC just blocked two Russian energy companies, LUKOIL PERM and LUKOIL AIK, stopping all U.S. dealings with them and freezing their U.S.-based assets. This move, effective October 22, 2025, aims to tighten the squeeze on Russia’s energy sector and warns others about secondary sanctions risks. If you’re a U.S. person or business, you better steer clear or face serious consequences!