If You Disagree with the Preliminary Flood Maps

Mapping Project Phases Once Preliminary Maps Are Issued

Flood Mapping Project Phases

When a preliminary flood map is issued, community members are provided an opportunity to review the new map. If you disagree with the new flood risk identified for your property, there are two ways to try to amend it:

  • Appeal or Comment – This is a formal process which occurs after the preliminary flood maps are released, but before the final ones are issued (shown above as the 90-day Public Review and Comment Period); or   
  • Letter of Map Change – A property owner can submit a request for Letter of Map Change (LOMC), which if approved, will officially change the flood risk around a building from a high-risk area to a moderate-low risk area. This opportunity occurs after the new flood map becomes effective. 

The Appeal Period for Kachina Village/Mountainaire area was April 30-July 28, 2021. If you find that you disagree with the new flood map, you have the option now to file a Letter of Map Change.

These two processes are described below:

APPEALS AND COMMENTS

When a new preliminary flood map is released, some residents, business owners, developers and others may disagree with how they are affected. FEMA provides for a 90-day Appeal and Comment Period when new or revised Base Flood Elevations (BFEs) are determined, or flood hazard zones or floodway boundaries change. Property owners, developers and others have opportunities to submit evidence on why they believe their property has been improperly mapped. However, it must be scientifically or technically based, not just “it hasn’t flooded in a while (or ever).” 

During the 90-day Appeal and Comment Period, they can submit:

  • An Appeal –  which is a formal written objection to the addition/modification of the BFE, Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA), floodway, or flood zone change, and which requires analysis or scientific evidence showing the information on the preliminary product is scientifically or technically incorrect.
  • A Comment – which is an objection to any other information related to the new map that is not an Appeal.

Note that any Appeals and Comments would have been forwarded to the District to first review them and then forwarded on to FEMA for review and resolution. During its review, FEMA evaluates the submitted data and request additional data, as necessary. Once all appeals and comments are resolved (if any are received), the flood map is finalized, and a Letter of Final Determination is then sent to each community stating that the flood map would become effective in six months.

The entire mapping process for the Kachina Village/Mountainaire area is complete and new flood maps became effective July 19, 2022.

LETTER OF MAP CHANGES (LOMCs)

Due to map scale limitations, some property owners with individual lots or structures may believe their building is incorrectly shown within the high-risk area (Zone A, known as a Special Flood Hazard Area, or SFHA). They may submit mapping and survey information to FEMA to request a Letter of Map Amendment (LOMA), or Letter of Map Revision Based on Fill (LOMR-F). This officially changes the property’s flood zone from a high-risk Zone A to a moderate-low risk Zone X on the new maps now that they are effective. 

This process may also remove the Federal Mandatory Purchase Requirement when the LOMA or LOMR-F become effective. While your lender may no longer require flood insurance, it does not mean the risk of flooding has been removed; it is only reduced. You are strongly encouraged to continue to carry flood insurance. More than 30% of flood claims in Arizona come from policyholders in moderate-low risk flood zones.

For more information on LOMAs and LOMR-Fs, visit these resources: