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Pre-Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM)

The purpose of this page is to define a Pre-Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM), a commonly used term in floodplain management.

Definition/Description

Pre- Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) buildings are those built before the effective date of the first Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) for a community. This means they were built before detailed flood hazard data and flood elevations were provided to the community and usually before the community enacted comprehensive regulations on floodplain regulation. Pre-FIRM buildings can be insured using "subsidized" rates. These rates are designed to help people afford flood insurance even though their buildings were not built with flood protection in mind.

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Last Updated: 
03/27/2018 - 09:43