What's New in Flood Hazard Mapping

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Keep up with the latest developments and find out what's new in Flood Hazard Mapping. Follow the links above to view or download important resources pertaining to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the Flood Hazard Mapping program, and the Risk Mapping, Assessment, and Planning (Risk MAP) effort. Sign up for e-mail updates on Flood Hazard Mapping Activities.

Coming Soon! View your Community’s Preliminary Flood Hazard Data 

Coming Soon! FEMA is launching a new way to view your community’s preliminary flood hazard data: over the web and in one convenient location! Preliminary flood hazard data provide an early look at your home or community’s risk to flood hazards. There are many benefits to viewing your community’s data before it becomes effective. For more information, visit the Preliminary Flood Hazard Data page.

New Online Application to Submit a LOMA Request

If a property owner thinks their property has been inadvertently mapped in a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA), they may submit a request to FEMA for a Letter of Map Change (LOMC). A SFHA is defined as the area that will be inundated by the flood event having a 1-percent chance of being equaled or exceeded in any given year. A LOMC reflects an official revision/amendment to an effective Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM). If the LOMC request is granted, property owners may be eligible for lower flood insurance premiums, or the option to not purchase flood insurance.

Applicants can now use the Online LOMC, an internet-based tool, to easily request a Letter of Map Amendment (LOMA). A LOMA is a letter from FEMA stating that an existing structure or parcel of land - that is on naturally high ground and has not been elevated by fill - would not be inundated by the base flood. This new tool is a convenient way for applicants to upload all information and supporting documentation and check the status of their application online. Users can submit LOMA requests through this tool instead of filing the MT-EZ paper form via mail. 

Get started today using the new Online LOMC application.

 

APPENDIX I: Discovery has been Revised

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has developed a revised version of Appendix I of FEMA's Guidelines and Specifications for Flood Hazard Mapping Partners. This Appendix will replace the April 2003 version of Appendix I that contained the Project Scoping Toolbox and the guidance for Scoping and Pre-Scoping activities. The June 2011 version of Appendix I contains the guidance for conducting Discovery. Discovery is the process to be applied by FEMA Regions, Cooperating Technical Partners, and other Mapping Partners in performing initial activities in a watershed of interest that may lead to a Risk MAP project being initiated.

If you have any questions on the revised Appendix I or Guidelines and Standards in general, please email FEMA GS at Femags@riskmapcds.com.

FMAC + MSC = FMIX

February 2010 
The Contact Center for the Map Service Center (MSC) has been consolidated into the current FEMA Map Assistance Contact Center (FMAC) to increase efficiency as it will provide a one-stop shop for a variety of information, products, services, and tools that support the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).

The toll-free number currently used by the FMAC, 1-877-FEMA MAP (1-877-336-2627) should be used instead of the MSC number (1-800-358-9616). This MSC number will still be in use for a while, but will be discontinued by the end of April 2010.

In addition, to reflect the consolidation of the contact centers the name of the FEMA Map Assistance Center (FMAC) will change to the FEMA Map Information eXchange, or FMIX. As stated, the phone number for the FMIX is the same as before, 1-877-FEMA MAP (1-877-336-2627).

This change will occur as of Monday March 1, 2010.

The FMIX, looks forward to helping you with any FEMA map related questions or orders. For more information or to contact a FEMA Map Specialist, please call 1-877-FEMA-MAP (1-877-336-2627) or e-mail FEMAMapSpecialist@riskmapcds.com.

Appeals, Revisions, and Amendments to National Flood Insurance Program Maps: A Guide for Community Officials

January 2010 
FEMA has developed this Guide for Community Officials to provide an overview of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and FEMA’s mapping program. The Guide provides detailed information on submittal and processing requirements for appeals, comments received during appeal periods, map revisions, map amendments, conditional map revisions and amendments, flood protection restoration determinations, adequate progress determinations, and Letters of Determination Review. This document, MitDiv-12, supersedes FIA-12.

Last Updated: 
02/28/2013 - 10:56
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