What are FEMA "Flood Insurance Rate Maps"?

The Flood Insurance Rate Maps produced by FEMA, the Federal Emergency Management Association, highlight flood-risk and hazard areas. The maps also designate the areas where insurance premiums are higher due to the flood risk. These areas are known as risk premium zones.

The maps are just one part of FEMA's larger National Flood Insurance Program, which is designed to help states and communities assess an area's flood risks and hazards. The goal of the program is to identify the risk areas so that preventive steps can be taken to prevent major damage in the case of a flood. All maps and other products created under the NFIP are available online at the FEMA Flood Map Service Center.