(a) The following maps may be prepared by the Federal Insurance Administrator for use in connection with the sale of flood insurance:
(1) Flood Insurance Rate Map: This map is prepared after the flood hazard study for the community has been completed and the risk premium rates have been established. The FIRM indicates the risk premium rate zones applicable in the community and when those rates are effective. The FIRM also may indicate, at the request of the community, zones to identify areas of future-conditions flood hazards. The symbols used to designate the risk premium rate zones and future-conditions zones are as follows:
| Zone symbol |
|
|---|---|
| A | Area of special flood hazard without water surface elevations determined |
| A1-30, AE | Area of special flood hazard with water surface elevations determined |
| A0 | Area of special flood hazards having shallow water depths and/or unpredictable flow paths between (1) and (3) ft |
| A99 | Area of special flood hazard where enough progress has been made on a protective system, such as dikes, dams, and levees, to consider it complete for insurance rating purposes |
| AH | Areas of special flood hazards having shallow water depths and/or unpredictable flow paths between (1) and (3) feet, and with water surface elevations determined |
| AR | Area of special flood hazard that results from the decertification of a previously accredited flood protection system that is determined to be in the process of being restored to provide base flood protection |
| V | Area of special flood hazards without water surface elevations determined, and with velocity, that is inundated by tidal floods (coastal high hazard area) |
| V1-30, VE | Area of special flood hazards, with water surface elevations determined and with velocity, that is inundated by tidal floods (coastal high hazard area) |
| V0 | Area of special flood hazards having shallow water depths and/or unpredictable flow paths between (1) and (3) ft. and with velocity |
| B, X | Areas of moderate flood hazards or areas of future-conditions flood hazard. |
| C, X | Area of minimal hazards |
| D | Area of undetermined but possible, flood hazards |
| M | Area of special mudslide (i.e., mudflow) hazards |
| N | Area of moderate mudslide (i.e., mudflow) hazards |
| P | Area of undetermined, but possible, mudslide hazards |
| E | Area of special flood-related erosion hazards. |
Areas identified as subject to more than one hazard (flood, mudslide (i.e., mudflow), flood-related erosion) or potential hazard (i.e., future-conditions flooding) will be designated on the FIRM by use of the proper zone symbols in combination.
(2) Flood Hazard Boundary Map (FHBM). This map is issued by the Administrator delineating Zones A, M, and E within a community.
(b) Notice of the issuance of new or revised FHBMs or FIRMs is given in Part 65 of this subchapter. The mandatory purchase of insurance is required within designated Zones A, A1-30, AE, A99, AO, AH, AR, AR/A1-30, AR/AE, AR/AO, AR/AH, AR/A, V1-30, VE, V, VO, M, and E.
(c) The FHBM or FIRM shall be maintained for public inspection at the following locations:
(1) The information office of the State agency or agencies designated by statute or the respective Governors to cooperate with the Federal Insurance Administrator in implementing the Program whenever a community becomes eligible for Program participation and the sale of insurance pursuant to this section or is identified as flood prone.
(2) One or more official locations within the community in which flood insurance is offered.
(3) [Reserved]
(4) The official record copy of each official map shall be maintained in FEMA files in Washington, DC.
[41 FR 46986, Oct. 26, 1976. Redesignated at 44 FR 31177, May 31, 1979, as amended at 46 FR 1274, Jan. 6, 1981; 48 FR 28278, June 21, 1983; 48 FR 44544 and 44552, Sept. 29, 1983; 49 FR 4751, Feb. 8, 1984; 50 FR 36028, Sept. 4, 1985; 59 FR 53599, Oct. 25, 1994; 62 FR 55716, Oct. 27, 1997; 66 FR 59170, Nov. 27, 2001]
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