Floodplain Mapping
As part of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), the federal government provides Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRM) to municipalities that commit to managing development in areas at high risk for flooding. These maps highlight flood-prone regions and serve as the foundation for calculating federal flood insurance rates. A FIRM is an official document created by FEMA that outlines Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHAs) as well as zones with lower flood risk within a community.
SFHAs represent areas with a 1% annual chance of flooding, commonly referred to as the base flood. On FIRMs, these are identified as A and V zones. Areas with a 0.2% annual chance of flooding—considered lower risk—are also shown to illustrate the broader potential for flood events.
The FEMA Map Service Center (MSC) is the primary source for public access to flood hazard information generated under the NFIP. To enhance usability, FEMA offers a tutorial on how to find a FIRM and create a smaller, printable version called a FIRMette via the MSC website.
FIRMs are most commonly used to:
- Determine whether a structure lies within a designated floodplain
- Identify the flood insurance zone that applies to the structure
- Estimate the base flood elevation at a specific location
Flood Zone Descriptions
Type your address into the Floodplain Mapping Tool to find out if your area is at risk of flooding.
RI Floodplain Mapping ToolLetter of Map Change
A Letter of Map Change (LOMC) reflects an official amendment or revision of the FIRM. If the LOMC request is granted, property owners may be eligible for lower flood insurance premiums or the option to not purchase flood insurance. Professional Land Surveyors may complete this form and submit to FEMA for consideration either electronically or hard copy.
The Rhode Island Department of Business Regulations maintains a list of licensed design professionals capable of completing a FEMA Elevation Certificate.