About the Flood Maps

The Map Makers

FEMA publishes Flood Insurance Rate Maps (flood maps) that depict low, moderate, and high-risk flood zones for an individual community.To make a flood map, FEMA generally conducts engineering studies referred to as Flood Insurance Studies. Using that information, FEMA engineers and cartographers delineate Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHA) on flood maps.

FEMA may also contract local engineers, other Federal agencies, or the community to do the mapping and engineering studies. The maps are reviewed and approved by the local government and FEMA before they are approved for use in making determinations.