Flood Insurance Rate Maps

The Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) is the most widely distributed flood map product. Information presented in FIRMs is based on historic, hydrologic, hydraulic, and meterologic data, and includes development, open-space conditions, and flood control works (FEMA, 2000).

FIRMs are distributed to a wide range of users. Private citizens, insurance agents, and brokers use FIRMs to locate properties and buildings and identify their risk for flooding. Public officials use the products to prepare floodplain management regulations and mitigate flood damage, and lending institutions and federal agencies use FIRMs to locate properties and determine if flood insurance is necessary when making loans or providing grants for purchase or construction (FEMA, 2000).

Information that can be found on FIRMs include:

• Common physical features (ex. major highways, secondary roads, lakes, railroads, streams, and other
waterways)
• Special Flood Hazard Areas
• Base flood elevations or depths (1 percent annual chance)
• Flood insurance risk zones
• Areas subject to inundation by the 0.2 percent annual chance flood
• Areas designated as regulatory floodways
• Undeveloped coastal barriers

You can also request a GeoPlus Package, a complete research tool that combines a Radius Report, Wetlands Map, Oil & Gas and Soil Map along with selected water wells.