FEMA - 2023 Preliminary Maps
The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP)
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) administers the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), a voluntary program offering flood insurance to all properties in communities that comply with minimum standards for floodplain management. To qualify for the NFIP, a community adopts and enforces a floodplain management ordinance to regulate development in the floodplain.
In its April 2012 Town Meeting, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) adopted revised Flood Insurance Rate Maps for the Town of Lynnfield. In 2022, communities were invited by FEMA to comment on proposed map changes slated to be published in 2024. These map changes were planned to address:
- How to align the minimum floodplain management standards with current understanding of flood risk and risk reduction approaches
- Potential improvements to the standards that would help communities become safer, stronger, and more resilient
- How the National Flood Insurance Program can better promote protection of and minimize any adverse impact to listed species and critical habitat
Preliminary Flood Insurance Rate Maps (Updated Maps)
Though slated to be finalized in 2024, preliminary Flood Insurance Rate Maps from FEMA are now available to provide the public with an early look at their home's or community's projected risk to flood hazards. These preliminary maps are viewable at this link: https://hazards.fema.gov/femaportal/prelimdownload/ These preliminary maps are also searchable by address at this link: https://tinyurl.com/mwcmzw89e44
Elevation Certificate (EC)
The National Flood Insurance Program’s Elevation Certificate (EC) provides elevation information necessary to ensure compliance with community floodplain management ordinances; to determine the proper insurance premium rate; and/or support a request for a Letter of Map Amendment (LOMA) to remove a building from the Special Flood Hazard Area. Here is the fact sheet with details and instructions for filing an EC Residents can complete an EC in a downloadable and fillable form by clicking on this link on page 2, under the section "How to Get an EC": https://agents.floodsmart.gov/fill-ec
How to Request a Map Amendment
Any property owner may request a Letter of Map Amendment (LOMA) if he/she believes that a building or other structure should be removed from the Special Flood Hazard Area. Here is the link to initiate a LOMA request: https://www.town.lynnfield.ma.us/sites/g/files/vyhlif3391/f/pages/letter_of_map_admendment_instructions_1.pdf