Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM)

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

Definition/Description

The official map of a community on which FEMA has delineated both the special hazard areas and the risk premium zones applicable to the community.

NFIP Requirement

• 59.1 - Definition
• 59.22 (6) - Local Map Repository
• 59.22 (9) (v) - Community Boundary Updates

Other Applicable NFIP Regulations

• 64.3 - FIRM Use for Sale of Flood Insurance
• 65 - Revisions to FIRM

Guidance

• IS-9 Managing Floodplain Development Through The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP)  (pages 3-35 to 3-37)

Related Keywords

• Base Flood Elevation (BFE)
• Flood or Flooding
• Flood Insurance Study (FIS)
• Flood Map
• Flood Profile
• Floodway
• Revision to NFIP Maps
• Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA)

Special Topic Resources

Coastal Study 

• Managing Floodplain Development (IS-9) 3-23 to 3-36

 Countywide Format 

• Managing Floodplain Development (IS-9) 3-42

 Digital FIRM 

• Managing Floodplain Development (IS-9) 3-44

 Floodway Analysis 

• Managing Floodplain Development (IS-9) 3-19

 Q3 

• Managing Floodplain Development (IS-9) 3-46

 Riverine Study 

• Managing Floodplain Development (IS-9) 3-11

 Using NFIP Maps 

• How to Read a FiRM Online Tutorial