Webinar: Demystifying FEMA’s Flood Maps

Free NFA Webinar for Insurance Professionals

FEMA’s Flood Insurance Rate Maps, commonly known as FIRMs, play an important role in flood zone determinations, lending requirements, insurance decisions, and risk conversations. However, when major flooding events occur outside designated Special Flood Hazard Areas, these maps can become the focus of public confusion and frustration.

The National Flood Association is offering a complimentary 60-minute webinar to help insurance professionals better understand the purpose, limitations, and proper use of FEMA’s flood maps.

Tuesday, June 23
1:00 PM – 2:00 PM Central Time
No-cost registration available

What the Webinar Will Cover

This live session will feature a panel of flood data experts discussing how FEMA flood maps should be interpreted, where their limitations begin, and how professionals can better explain flood risk to clients, lenders, and property stakeholders. Topics will include:

• The purpose and intended use of FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Maps
• Common misconceptions about Special Flood Hazard Areas
• Why flooding can occur outside mapped high-risk zones
• Case studies involving Letters of Map Revision, including LOMRs issued for the Camp Mystic area in Texas
• Practical use cases for Elevation Certificates
• Live audience questions with experienced flood data professionals

Why This Matters

Flood maps are essential tools, but they are not the full picture of flood risk. Understanding how FIRMs are created, updated, revised, and applied can help insurance professionals provide clearer guidance and avoid common misunderstandings.

This webinar is a valuable opportunity to hear directly from experienced flood data professionals and gain practical insight into how flood mapping affects insurance, lending, and property decisions.