Data Catalog

Dataset: Flood Insurance Rate Maps

Description: The Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) is the official map of a community for which the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has delineated both the special hazard areas and the risk premium zones in the United States. The purpose of a FIRM is to show the areas in a community that are subject to flooding and the risk associated with those flood hazards.

Collection Methodology: The flood hazard and risk information presented on the FIRMs is the result of engineering studies that are performed by engineering companies, other Federal agencies, or communities, which are reviewed for compliance with FEMA guidelines and approved by FEMA. FEMA uses the most accurate flood hazard information available and applies rigorous standards in developing the FIRMs. However, because of limitations of scale or topographic definition of the source maps used to prepare a FIRM, small areas may be inadvertently shown within a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) on a FIRM even though the property is on natural ground and is at or above the elevation of the 1-percent-annual-chance flood.

General Business Terms: This dataset is available on a usage basis. Please inquire for additional information.

Attribution Policy: Developers must include attribution link and text as follows: Map data © 2010 Urban Mapping Inc and/or other parties when developing applications.