FEMA Digital Flood Insurance Rate Map (DFIRM) Is Finalized
On November 16, 2011, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) mailed their Letter of Final Determination (LFD) to Collier County. The DFIRM has now been declared final for Collier County and became effective for flood insurance purposes on May 16, 2012.
Final DFIRM with the flood zones Note: The maps and data contained herein are a representation of compiled public information. They are believed to be an accurate and true depiction for their stated purpose, but Collier County and its employees make no guarantees, implied or otherwise as to the accuracy or completeness. We therefore do not accept any responsibilities as to its use. Companion document: Flood Hazard Zone Definitions on the DFIRM Maps
Check here for the list of over 10,000 FEMA-intiated LOMA determinations
FEMA Letter of Final Determination
Important informationfor property owners now that the DFIRM has become effective:
The DFIRM was published with an effective date label showing May 16, 2012.
- Flood insurance requirements affect structures that are located within any flood zone that starts with the letter “V” or “A” and there are federal dollars associated with the structure (typically a federally insured mortgage or a federal grant). If there are no federal dollars associated with the structure, there is no federal mandate for the purchase of flood insurance.
- A lender has the legal right to require flood insurance coverage regardless of the structure’s flood zone.
- If an owner desires to prevent an existing structure, that is currently located in flood zone X but will be located in any flood zone starting with the letter “V” or “A”, from having a flood insurance requirement, they can apply for a Letter of Map Change (LOMC).
- To learn how to file for a LOMC see, “Changing Your Flood Insurance Zone Designation to Zone X (Letter of Map Change)” below.
- If the LOMC application was submitted between November 16, 2011 and May 16, 2012, the application met all of the LOMC requirements, and FEMA was able to process the application by May 16, 2012, the approved LOMC was issued on May 17, 2012 thus keeping the Zone X classification for the structure.
- For LOMC applications submitted after May 1 and LOMC applications submitted before May 1 that FEMA was unable to process before May 16, FEMA has reviewed each property for eligibility to be included in a FEMA-initiated Letter of Map Amendment (LOMA), discussed in the “Changing Your Flood Insurance Zone Designation to Zone X” section below, which prevails over individual applications. The FEMA-initiated LOMAs, which only affect properties in the City of Naples and the unincorporated areas of Collier County, were issued in June 2012.
A schedule of the DFIRM mapping effort is shown below.
For more information about the FEMA flood insurance rate map program, visit:http://www.fema.gov/hazard/map/firm.shtm
National Flood Insurance Map Amendment Process Presentation
FEMA Digital Flood Insurance Map (DFIRM) Update and Adoption Timeline
| Preliminary DFIRM received from FEMA | July 13, 2010 |
| DFIRM Viewer Posted on County Website | August 16, 2010 |
| Public Meetings to begin review process | August 16-20, 2010 |
| FEMA Notification of Planned Newspaper Publications | October 25, 2010 |
| First Planned Newspaper Publication | October 29, 2010 |
| Second Planned Newspaper Publication | November 5, 2010 |
| Start of 90-day Comment and Appeal Period | November 5, 2010 |
| End of 90-day Comment and Appeal Period | February 3, 2011 |
| Review and Resolution of Submitted Appeals | November 15, 2011 |
| Letter of Final Determination by FEMA | November 16, 2011 |
| New DFIRM Becomes Effective for Building Permits | March 30, 2012 |
| New DFIRM Becomes Effective for Flood Insurance | May 16, 2012 |
| LOMC Revalidation Letter Becomes Effective | May 17, 2012 |
Flood Risk Map Hotline Available
A special information hotline has been established to answer questions about flood insurance and the new Digital Flood Insurance Rate Map (DFIRM) from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Residents can call 239-252-2942
, Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with questions about the DFIRM.
The new DFIRM is very different in appearance from the former FEMA flood mapping in that it identifies the risk from coastal storm surge flooding as well as rainfall from the coastline to roughly State Route 29. Many areas of the county that had been exempt under previous flood zone mapping are now included. Property owners who have a federally backed mortgage or plan to refinance with a federally backed lender, may be required to purchase flood insurance if they find that their home is newly shown in a Special Flood Hazard Area on the updated maps.
Also on this web page, you can view your existing flood zone designation on the DFIRM.
For more information, visit http://www.fema.gov/hazard/map/firm.shtm
A special information hotline has been established to answer questions about the new, Digital Flood Insurance Rate Map (DFIRM) from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Residents can call 239-252-2942, Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with questions about the DFIRM. The new DFIRM is very different in appearance from the former FEMA flood mapping in that it identifies the risk from coastal storm surge flooding as well as rainfall from the coastline to roughly State Route 29. Many areas of the county that had been exempt under previous flood zone mapping are now included. Property owners who have a federally backed mortgage or plan to refinance with a federally backed lender, may be required to purchase flood insurance if they find that their home is newly shown in a Special Flood Hazard Area on the updated maps. Also on this web page, you can view your existing flood zone designation on the DFIRM. For more information, visit
CLICK HERE TO WATCH A VIDEO THAT EXPLAINS THE FEMA DIGITAL FLOOD INSURANCE RATE MAP FOR COLLIER COUNTY
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