New Flood Insurance Rules Take Effect in July
Published Date: 6/11/2026
Notice
Summary
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.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.
Updated Flood Maps Take Effect
On July 21, 2026, FEMA finalized updated flood hazard maps (FIRMs) and supporting Flood Insurance Study (FIS) reports for the listed communities in Illinois, Minnesota, and New York. The updates may add or change Base Flood Elevations (BFEs), base flood depths, Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) boundaries or zone designations, and regulatory floodways, which could affect homeowners, renters, and local planning or building decisions.
Community NFIP Participation Requirement
FEMA's final flood hazard information forms the basis of the floodplain management measures that each listed community is required to adopt or show evidence of having in effect to qualify or remain qualified for the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). This requirement applies to the communities named in the notice and relates to maintaining NFIP participation.
Where to Find the New Maps
The updated FIRMs and FIS reports will be available for inspection at each community's local map repository address listed in the notice and online through the FEMA Map Service Center (https://msc.fema.gov) by July 21, 2026. FEMA also encourages interested lessees and owners of real property to review the new or revised maps and reports.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-19036, Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comment Request; Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) Application Reporting
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public to take this opportunity to comment on an extension, without change, of a currently approved information collection. In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice seeks comments regarding the requirements, grants management procedures, and implementation of grants awarded under the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP), which is a post-disaster program that contributes funds toward the cost of hazard mitigation activities to reduce the risk of future damage, hardship, loss, or suffering in any area affected by a major disaster.
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).
2026-18405, 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.
2026-18404, 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.
2026-18409, 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: 2026-11672, 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 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.
Next: 2026-11674, 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 insurance rates or building rules might change soon. These updates are final and already published, so check your local map or online to see how it impacts you and your wallet.