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.
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Key Dates
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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.
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