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FEMA’s Revised Flood Insurance Rate Maps

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Executive Summary

The document discusses the upcoming adoption of new Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) for Morris County by FEMA. These maps, updated with newer storm data, topography, and aerial photography, will replace those from the 1970s/80s. The new FIRMs will be used to assess flood risk, determine flood insurance requirements and costs, and inform flood damage prevention regulations.

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--- Document: FEMA’s Revised Flood Insurance Rate Maps Document ---
FEMA Flood Insurance Map Updates
FEMA (Federal Insurance Management Agency) is in the process of adopting new Flood Insurance Rate
Maps (FIRMs) for Morris County. The process has involved the review of the prior mapping which, for
Long Hill Township, were adopted in the late 1970’s/early 1980’s. The new maps will be published in
digital form and include the underlying aerial photography making them much more user friendly. This
article is intended to provide some basic information on the purpose of the FIRMs, the process for the
adoption of the new maps and the actions that individual homeowners can take during the process. The
information provided herein is only very general and more detailed information can be obtained from
the Morris County Planning Board’s website at https://planning.morriscountynj.gov/firms/.
What is a FIRM?
A Flood Insurance Rate Map is a document published by FEMA that graphically depicts flood zones.
There are several different types of flood zones shown on the map that impact Long Hill Township.
These include the floodway (area of highest flood levels and highest velocity), the .01 flood zone
(chances of flooding are 1% in any given year), the .002 flood zone (chances of flooding are .2% in any
given year) and the area of minimal flood risk (those areas outside of the areas identified above). These
FIRMs are used to assess the flooding risk for properties as well as determine the requirement and costs
of flood insurance and the applicability of flood damage prevention regulations.
What is Flood Insurance?
Flood insurance is a government back program by which property owners can insure their property
against losses associated with flooding. The cost for flood insurance varies based on a number of factors
including the flood zone, height of the structure relative to the depth of flooding, residential vs.
commercial property, etc. Flood insurance is MANDATORY for any property in a designated flood zone
that is financed with a federally backed mortgage. While homes outside the designated flood zones are
not required to get flood insurance by the federal government, individual lenders may require
borrowers to obtain flood insurance. Flood insurance can be purchased for properties that are not
within a flood zone at relatively low cost. Flood insurance will cover losses not covered by homeowners
insurance such as some landslides and flash floods. Much more information on the program is available
on the Morris County website and the links provided on the site.
What do the new FIRMs mean?
The new FIRMs are based on updated flood plain modeling using newer storm data and topography.
Since they include aerial photographs, they are much easier to read and identify properties. Below is a
section of the old and new maps.


Old FIRM
New FIRM
Once the maps are effective, they will be used to set flood insurance premiums as well as the
requirements to obtain flood insurance.


What is the map adoption process?
Before the maps are adopted and become effective, there is a public information and comment process.
The sequence of the process is provided below. Note that except for the 90 day appeal period (which
has not yet started), there are no fixed time periods for any of the events on the sequence. FEMA has
advised that the time period for the adoption process is generally from 18-24 months. It should be
noted that the timing of the events is subject to a variety of influences, including the fact that virtually
all FEMA staff have been mobilized to Houston for the current recovery efforts.
What should you do as a property owner?
The Morris County website contains information on the adoption process and the steps along the way.
The next event to occur will be the open house meetings hosted by FEMA. The dates and locations for
these meetings have not been established as of yet. Once they are, they will be published on the
County and Township web sites.