The Federal Emergency Management Agency is proposing updates to the Flood Insurance Rate Map for Carroll County, Maryland. Community partners are invited to participate in a 90-day appeal and comment period. The 90-day appeal period will begin Aug. 29, 2025.
The updated maps were produced in coordination with local, state and agency officials. Significant community review of the maps has already taken place, but before the maps become final, community partners can identify any corrections or questions about the information provided and submit appeals or comments.
Residents, business owners and other community partners are encouraged to review the updated maps to learn about local flood risks and potential future flood insurance requirements. They may submit an appeal if they perceive that modeling or data used to create the map is technically or scientifically incorrect.
- An appeal must include technical information, such as hydraulic or hydrologic data, to support the claim.
- Appeals cannot be based on the effects of proposed projects or projects started after the study is in progress.
- If property owners see incorrect information that does not change the flood hazard information—such as a missing or misspelled road name in the Special Flood Hazard Area or an incorrect corporate boundary—they can submit a written comment.
The next step in the mapping process is the resolution of all comments and appeals. Once they are resolved, FEMA will notify communities of the effective date of the final maps.
Submit appeals and comments by contacting your local floodplain administrator:
- For the Town of Union Bridge, please contact Laura Conway by email at unionbr@carr.org or by phone at 410-775-7581.
- For the City of Sykesville, please contact Joseph Cosentini by email at jcosentini@sykesville.net or by phone at 410-795-8959.
- For the Town of Mount Airy, please contact Heather Smith by email at hsmith@mountairymd.gov or by phone at 301-829-1424.
- For Carroll County, please contact Patrick Varga by email at pvarga@carrollcountymd.gov or by phone at 410-386-2844.
The new preliminary maps for Carroll County may be viewed online at the Federal Emergency Management Agency Region 3 Flood Map Changes Viewer.
For more information about the flood maps:
- Use a live chat service about flood maps at the Federal Emergency Management Agency Mapping and Insurance eXchange. Click on the “Live Chat” icon.
- Contact a FEMA Map Specialist by telephone; toll free, at 1-877-FEMA-MAP (1-877-336-2627) or by email at FEMA-FMIX@fema.dhs.gov.
Most homeowner’s insurance policies do not cover flooding. There are cost-saving options available for those newly mapped into a high-risk flood zone. Learn more about your flood insurance options by talking with your insurance agent and visiting https://www.floodsmart.gov.
Carroll County Flood Mapping Milestones
- Nov. 17, 2023 — Flood Risk Review Meeting to review draft flood hazard data.
- May 31, 2024 — Preliminary Flood Insurance Rate Map released.
- July 23, 2024 — Community Coordination and Outreach Meeting to review Preliminary Flood Insurance Rate Map and discuss updates to local floodplain management ordinance and flood insurance.
- Dec. 12, 2024 – Revised Preliminary Flood Insurance Rate Map released.
- Aug. 29, 2025 –Appeal Period starts.
- Summer 2026* — New Flood Insurance Rate Map becomes effective and flood insurance requirements take effect. (*Timeline subject to change pending completion of the appeal review process.)
If you have any questions, please contact the Federal Emergency Management Agency Region 3 Office of External Affairs at femar3newsdesk@fema.dhs.gov
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The Federal Emergency Management Agency’s mission is helping people before, during, and after disasters. The agency’s Region 3’s jurisdiction includes Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia.
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