Flooding is the number one natural disaster in the United States. It is vital that property owners understand their risk and take advantage of the tools and programs available to them, including flood insurance. The FIRM and the associated Flood Insurance Study report are used by flood insurance companies to determine flood insurance requirements and costs.
For more information or to access the mapping portal where you can view the updated maps, visit the FEMA Flood Map Service Center. You may also speak with a map specialist at the FEMA Flood Map Information eXchange (FMIX) at 1-877-336-2627 or call the Village Hall at 847-746-1770.
Frequently Asked Questions
What changes will we see on the new Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM)?
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Some buildings, for the first time, may be included in the high-risk area, known as the Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA).
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If, based on the new maps, the building is in the SFHA (flood zones beginning with “A”, “AE”, “V,” or “VE”) and is mortgaged through a federally regulated and insured lender, the property owner will be required to carry flood insurance after the new maps go into effect.
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Some buildings will be shown in the new maps as being in a different high-risk zone (e.g., from Zone AE to Zone VE) or may have their Base Flood Elevation (BFE) increase or decrease.
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Premiums are generally higher in areas that are at greater risk of flooding than in those at moderate or minimal risk of flooding. Therefore, changes in the BFE will affect flood insurance rates.
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However, some buildings may be removed from the mapped SFHA.
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If the building is currently mapped in an SFHA, but on the new FIRM it is mapped into a moderate-to-low-risk flood area, flood insurance is no longer federally required.
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However, the mortgage holder/lender may still require flood insurance.
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Homeowners and renters, at their discretion, may maintain flood insurance at the lower rates offered for buildings outside the SFHA.
Will I have to buy flood insurance?
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Flood insurance rates are determined by the current effective FIRMs. If, according to the new preliminary maps, your property is located in an SFHA and is mortgaged through a federally regulated and insured lender, you will be required to purchase flood insurance once the preliminary map becomes effective. There is time—the updated maps are not scheduled to go effective until 2021 or 2022. However, flooding can happen wherever it rains, which means purchasing flood insurance is a good idea even for property owners in low-risk areas.
Will I be able to buy insurance on-site?
- NFIP policies can be purchased from any state-licensed property and casualty insurance agents. Through working with a specialized agent, you should be able to discuss different insurance options and decide which one would be best for you. You may already work with these agents for other property insurance needs. To find an insurance agent in your area who sells flood insurance, visit floodsmart.gov.
What if I disagree with the new maps?