FEMA Locks in New Flood Zones Starting August
Published Date: 6/11/2026
Notice
Summary
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.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.
Flood map changes for Sabine County
FEMA finalized new flood hazard information for Sabine County, Texas (including the Cities of Hemphill and Pineland). The changes — such as Base Flood Elevations (BFEs), Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) boundaries, and regulatory floodways — take effect August 4, 2026 and can change flood insurance rules, insurance costs, and building requirements. The updated Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) and Flood Insurance Study (FIS) report will be available online at the FEMA Map Service Center (https://msc.fema.gov) and at the local community map repositories listed in the notice.
Communities must adopt new NFIP measures
Communities listed in the notice (Sabine County and its incorporated areas including Hemphill and Pineland) must adopt or show evidence of floodplain management measures based on the new FIRM and FIS in order to qualify or remain qualified for participation in FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). This requirement is tied to the finalized flood hazard information that becomes effective August 4, 2026.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-19009, Agency Information Collection Activities: Submission for OMB Review, Comment Request; National Fire Department Registry
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will submit the information collection abstracted below to the Office of Management and Budget for review and clearance in accordance with the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. FEMA invites the general public to take this opportunity to comment on an extension of a currently approved information collection. In accordance with the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice seeks comments concerning the use of a form to collect data for the development and continuation of the National Fire Department Registry.
2026-18408, 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).
2026-18403, 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.
2026-18404, Changes in Flood Hazard Determinations
This notice lists communities where the addition or modification of Base Flood Elevations (BFEs), base flood depths, Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) boundaries or zone designations, or the regulatory floodway (hereinafter referred to as flood hazard determinations), as shown on the Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs), and where applicable, in the supporting Flood Insurance Study (FIS) reports, prepared by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for each community, is appropriate because of new scientific or technical data. The FIRM, and where applicable, portions of the FIS report, have been revised to reflect these flood hazard determinations through issuance of a Letter of Map Revision (LOMR), in accordance with Federal Regulations. The current effective community number is shown in the table below and must be used for all new policies and renewals.
2026-18405, Changes in Flood Hazard Determinations
This notice lists communities where the addition or modification of Base Flood Elevations (BFEs), base flood depths, Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) boundaries or zone designations, or the regulatory floodway (hereinafter referred to as flood hazard determinations), as shown on the Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs), and where applicable, in the supporting Flood Insurance Study (FIS) reports, prepared by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for each community, is appropriate because of new scientific or technical data. The FIRM, and where applicable, portions of the FIS report, have been revised to reflect these flood hazard determinations through issuance of a Letter of Map Revision (LOMR), in accordance with Federal Regulations. The current effective community number is shown in the table below and must be used for all new policies and renewals.
2026-18406, 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).
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2026-11671, Changes in Flood Hazard Determinations
FEMA is updating flood risk maps for certain communities based on new science, changing flood zones and water levels. If you live or own property in these areas, your flood insurance rules might change, possibly affecting costs. You’ve got 90 days after local notice to ask for a review before changes become final, so stay alert and check the updated maps online!
Next: 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.