FEMA Proposes Tweaks to Flood Maps in Various Communities
Published Date: 5/7/2026
Notice
Summary
FEMA is updating flood risk maps for several 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 have until August 5, 2026, to review and comment on these updates before they become official.
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.
Flood-map changes could raise premiums
FEMA proposes changes to Flood Insurance Rate Maps that may add or modify Base Flood Elevations (BFE), base flood depth, Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) boundaries or zone designations, or regulatory floodways. If you live in or own property in the listed communities (for example, Howell County, Oregon County, and Ozark County, Missouri), those map changes could change whether you must buy flood insurance and could affect your insurance costs.
Communities must adopt flood rules to stay in NFIP
The Preliminary FIRM and Flood Insurance Study reports are the basis for the floodplain management measures communities must adopt or show are in effect to qualify or remain qualified for the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) under 44 CFR 60.3. That means local governments in the affected communities may need to change building rules, permitting, or land-use requirements.
You can inspect maps and comment by Aug 5, 2026
Preliminary FIRMs and FIS reports are available online at https://hazards.fema.gov/femaportal/prelimdownload and at local Community Map Repositories. You may submit comments identified by Docket No. FEMA-B-2600 on or before August 5, 2026 to the address or email provided in the notice.
Scientific Resolution Panel available after 60 days
Communities that appeal revised flood hazard information may request a Scientific Resolution Panel (SRP) to review conflicting technical data, but the SRP can be used only after FEMA and the community have engaged in collaborative consultation for at least 60 days without resolving the appeal. Information on SRPs is available at https://www.floodsrp.org/pdfs/srp_overview.pdf.
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Key Dates
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Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2026-09014, 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 flood insurance costs or requirements might change soon. These updates are final and already published, so check your local map or online to see how you’re impacted and plan ahead!
Next: 2026-09016, 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 need to check the new maps by March 3, 2026, because these changes could impact insurance costs and building rules. The updated maps help keep communities safer and insurance programs running smoothly.