FEMA Updates Flood Maps with New Scientific Data
Published Date: 5/7/2026
Notice
Summary
FEMA is updating flood maps for certain communities using new science, changing flood risk zones and water levels. If you live or own property in these areas, your flood insurance rules might change soon, so check the new maps online or locally. You’ve got 90 days after local notice to ask for a review, so don’t wait if you want to challenge the changes!
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 3 mixed.
Flood maps changed for listed communities
FEMA revised Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) and, where applicable, Flood Insurance Study (FIS) reports for the communities listed in the notice, changing Base Flood Elevations, base flood depths, Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) boundaries, zone designations, or the regulatory floodway. These revisions were finalized on dates shown in the table (examples include April 2, 2026 and up through April 20, 2026). If you live or own property in those listed communities, the mapped flood hazards for your property may now be different.
Communities must use FIRMs/FIS to meet NFIP rules
The notice says the FIRM and FIS reports are the basis of the floodplain management measures that each community is required to adopt or show evidence of having in effect to qualify or remain qualified for participation in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Communities may also enact stricter local requirements at any time.
90-day window to request map review
From the date of the second publication of local newspaper notification, any person has 90 days to ask the community to request that FEMA reconsider the flood hazard changes. Requests for reconsideration must be submitted through the community to the Assistant Administrator, Federal Insurance Directorate; the notice also directs submitting comments and appeals to the Chief Executive Officer listed for each community.
Use current community number for policies
The notice states the current effective community number shown in the table must be used for all new flood insurance policies and renewals for the listed communities. Check the table in the notice or FEMA's Map Service Center to identify the current effective community number for your location.
Revised maps available online and locally
Revised flood hazard maps and supporting information for each listed community are available for inspection at the online locations (for example, https://msc.fema.gov) and at the community map repository addresses given in the table. The notice instructs interested persons to inspect these resources for the specific changes that affect their property.
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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).
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