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
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-15944, 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.
2026-15946, 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.
2026-15943, 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).
2026-15942, 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).
2026-15938, 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).
2026-15941, 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: 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.