Frequently Asked Questions

General Information

Where can I view or obtain a copy of the Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) or Flood Insurance Study (FIS) for my area?

Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs), Flood Insurance Study (FIS) texts, and other flood-map-related products are available from a variety of sources. One of the easiest ways to view the flood maps is to view scanned versions of the materials at the FEMA Flood Map Store.

You may also use this site to order the images on a CD-ROM or on-line download. The scanned maps are available for purchase at the individual, community, county and state kit levels.

An image viewer, called Flood Map Image Tool (F-MIT) Basic version 1.0, is also packaged with the scanned maps on CD-ROM. It allows customers to view, zoom in and pan the image. In addition, F-MIT enables customers to create a "FIRMette" - a section of the map at 100-percent scale that can be printed on standard paper sizes - letter (8 1/2" x 11"), legal (8 1/2" x 14"), and tabloid (11" x 17"). The F-MIT Basic image viewer can be downloaded directly from this Flood Map Store website at no cost.

Alternatively, you may use this site to place an online order for paper copies of the maps or texts. You may also call the Map Service Center toll-free at 1-800-358-9616 to place a telephone order.

If you would like to examine the maps and speak with someone knowledgeable about your local circumstances, you may also contact your local map repository, an office that keeps the FEMA maps for public reference and use. This office is usually in your local planning, engineering, or public works department.

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When was the last update to the Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) for my community?

The National Flood Insurance Program's Community Status Book provides a quick and easy way to see the last effective date for your community's map. However, it doesn't give you the date of every map panel. For details, contact your community's building and permit office or the FEMA Map Assistance Center. The FEMA Map Assistance Center has access to a database that lists information for communities throughout the U.S., including participation and map status.

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How do I determine if my community is participating in the National Flood Insurance Program?

There are several ways you can find this information. One of the best resources is the National Flood Insurance Program's (NFIP) Community Status Book. For each state you can print a list of communities. At the end of the list, communities that are not in the NFIP are listed. Many of these communities have not adopted the required floodplain management ordinances. A footnote may indicate if the community has been suspended or withdrew from the program.

You can contact your insurance agent or call your community's planning or building permit office. Not only can they tell you if they participate in the NFIP, but they can tell you if you have to get permits before building in a special flood hazard area, or before you add to, improve, or repair damage to an existing floodplain building.

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What does community participation in the National Flood Insurance Program mean and how does that affect a homeowner?

Communities, i.e., local governments, decide to participate in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Specifically, communities that agree to manage flood hazard areas by adopting minimum regulatory standards may participate in the NFIP. These standards are listed in Section 60.3 of the NFIP regulations.

If a community does not participate in the program, property owners in that jurisdiction are not able to purchase federally backed flood insurance. Also, federal grants, loans, disaster assistance, and Federal mortgage insurance are unavailable for the acquisition or construction of structures located in the floodplain as shown on the NFIP maps.

Similarly, if a community does not participate in the program, property owners are not subject to federal requirements of mandatory flood insurance. However, a lender is still required to inspect any flood maps to determine flood hazard risk and provide notice of such risk. A lender may require a borrower to obtain flood insurance even in the absence of a federally mandatory requirement.

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How can I determine if my property is in a Special Flood Hazard Area?

FEMA publishes maps indicating a community's flood hazard areas and the degree of risk in those areas. Flood insurance maps usually are on file in a local repository in the community, such as the planning and zoning or engineering offices in the town hall or the county building. A property owner may consult these maps to find out if the property is in a special flood hazard area (SFHA).

In addition, maps may be ordered online or by writing, phoning, or faxing a request to the FEMA Map Service Center. Contact information is listed in the National Flood Insurance Program General Program Information. Delivery is usually within 2 to 4 weeks. There is a minimal charge for maps for most users, so it is advisable to call for detailed information.

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What do I need to know if my building is in the floodplain?

Buildings in special flood hazard areas shown on Flood insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) may be damaged when flooding occurs. Some buildings flood frequently, while others get damaged by only the more severe events.

If your home is in the 1-percent annual chance floodplain, it has a 26-percent chance of getting flooded over a 30-year period. This means it is about five times more likely to get damaged by flood than by a severe fire!

You should know that usually you can get flood insurance, if available, by contacting your regular homeowners insurance agent. FEMA and others recommend that everyone in special flood hazard areas buy flood insurance. If you buy a home or refinance your home, your mortgage lender or banker may require flood insurance. But, even if not required, it is a good investment especially in areas that flood frequently or where flood forces are likely to cause major damage.

Another thing you should know is that your community may require permits for remodeling, improving, expanding, or rebuilding your building. In order to reduce long-term flood damage, the National Flood Insurance Program requires that buildings that are substantially improved or substantially damaged become compliant. This means if the cost of the improvements or repairs is more than 50-percent of the market value of the building, you will have to make it compliant with the rules for floodplain construction. Usually, this means lifting it off the foundation and elevating it above the predicted flood level. If you carry a flood insurance policy and have major flood damage, you may be eligible for up to $20,000 more to help pay for the cost of this work.

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What are the different types of Letters of Map Change?

CLOMA
A Conditional Letter of Map Amendment (CLOMA) is FEMA's comment on whether a proposed project would be excluded from the Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) shown on the effective National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) map. There is no appeal period. The letter becomes effective on the date sent. This letter does not revise an effective NFIP map, it indicates whether the project, if built as proposed, will be recognized by FEMA.

CLOMR
A Conditional Letter of Map Revision (CLOMR) is FEMA's comment on a proposed project that would affect the hydrologic and/or hydraulic characteristics of a flooding source and thus result in the modification of the existing regulatory floodway or effective base flood elevations (BFEs). There is no appeal period. The letter becomes effective on the date sent. This letter does not revise an effective National Flood Insurance Program map, it indicates whether the project, if built as proposed, will be recognized by FEMA.

CLOMR-F
A Conditional Letter of Map Revision Based on Fill (CLOMR-F) is FEMA's comment on whether a proposed project involving the placement of fill would exclude an area from the Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) shown on the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) map. There is no appeal period. The letter becomes effective on the date sent. This letter does not revise an effective NFIP map, it indicates whether the project, if built as proposed, will be recognized by FEMA.

LOMA
A Letter of Map Amendment (LOMA) is an official amendment, by letter, to an effective National Flood Insurance Program map. A LOMA establishes a property's location in relation to the Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA). There is no appeal period. The letter becomes effective on the date sent.

LOMR
A Letter of Map Revision (LOMR) is an official revision, by letter, to an effective National Flood Insurance Program map. A LOMR may change flood insurance risk zones, floodplain and/or floodway boundary delineations, planimetric features, and/or Base Flood Elevations (BFE) . See the LOMR Effective Chart to determine when a LOMR becomes effective.

LOMR-F
A Letter of Map Revision Based on Fill (LOMR-F) is an official revision, by letter, to an effective National Flood Insurance Program map. A LOMR-F provides FEMA's determination concerning whether a structure or parcel has been elevated on fill above the Base Flood Elevation (BFE) and excluded from the Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA). The letter becomes effective on the date sent.

See also LOMR Effective Chart

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What are the Letter of Map Change status designations?

STATUS DESCRIPTION OF FEMA's ACTIONS
Received, Checking Completeness Ensuring all initial data and/or fees have been received
Under Review Reviewing technical data and supporting documentation
Awaiting Data/Fee Awaiting additional data and/or fees
Letter Sent, Effective Date The date the Letter of Map Change (LOMC) is sent, and date on which the LOMC goes into effect.
Letter Sent, Effective Date, Comment Period Ends The LOMC will be effective 30 days after the issue date of the letter. Any requests to review or alter this determination should be made within 30 days and must be based on scientific or technical data.
Letter Sent, Effective Date, Appeal Period Ends The LOMC will be effective 90 days after the issue date of the letter. Any requests to review or alter this determination should be made within 90 days and must be based on scientific or technical data.
Dropped Additional data and/or fee were not received within the regulatory time frame; therefore, the processing of the case was suspended.

 

Status of Map Change Descriptions

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Last Modified: Friday, 12-Oct-2007 11:52:19 EDT

Fast Facts

Additional FAQ Topics

Digital Flood Data and Mapping
General Information
Flood Insurance
Flood Map Policy and Program
Flood Map Process
Flood Revision
Flood Study Data
Frequently Used Terms
Q3 Flood Data

Need additional help?

FEMA Map Assistance Center
Call 1-877-FEMA-MAP
Email a Map Specialist