Flood Map Modernization

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is currently in the process of a nationwide conversion of existing Flood Insurance Rage Maps (FIRMs) into Digital Flood Insurance Rate Maps (DFIRMs). This process is known as Map Modernization. In the state of Texas, although not all counties will be included in the modernization, the more populous counties like Tarrant County are included.

The flood map modernization has been a multi-year project to re-examine flood zones and develop detailed, digital flood hazard maps. FEMA recently released revised preliminary DFIRMs for public review in the City of North Richland Hills. The newly issued preliminary maps reflect current flood risks and areas of recent growth. It is important to note that the calculated flood levels (based on extensive hydraulic modeling) in the City of North Richland Hills are not changing with the issuance of the maps. Rather, more accurate survey information is allowing FEMA to show the limits of the floodplain more accurately than ever before. In other words, properties which are now shown on the map to be within the floodplain were actually away within the floodplain. No physical features have changed which adversely impacted the properties and caused the shift in floodplain limits. The acquisition of better data revealed that the existing maps, some of which are up to 12 years old, were not correct. The risk was always there; FEMA is now making the public aware of it.

FEMA's 90-day Appeal Period for the preliminary maps in Tarrant County began on September 20, 2007 and ended on December 18, 2007. FEMA is currently in the process of reviewing all appeals and protests submitted by property owners throughout Tarrant County. After FEMA has resolved all appeals and protests for Tarrant County, they will issue a Letter of Final Determination, after which, the City of North Richland Hills will have six months to formally adopt the new floodplain maps. It is anticipated that the DFIRM maps will become effective in late 2008 or early 2009.

The Map Modernization project will provide property owners throughout the City with up-to-date, reliable, Internet accessible information about their flood risk on a property by property basis. Please visit the City's Interactive Map to see how the FEMA updated floodplain boundaries impact your property.