Hillsborough County is part of a multi-year process led by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to update coastal flood maps. The coastal flood risks shown on today's flood maps are based on obsolete data and technology more than 30 years old. The 2007 countywide flood map update did not include an updated analysis of the coastal flood risk and does not reflect new development or changes in shoreline.
Changes to the coastal flood maps are based on FEMA's multi-year assessment and will take effect late summer/fall 2021. Impacted residents, especially those with homes built before June 18, 1980, are urged to buy or renew flood insurance before late Summer/Fall 2021. Having a flood insurance now may not only lock in future savings later when the updated maps go into effect, but also provide financial protection during hurricane season and beyond.
Property owners who have a federally-backed mortgage and are in a high-risk flood zone are required to have flood insurance. To learn more about flood insurance, contact your insurance agent or visit FloodSmart.gov.
FEMA Public Comment Period is Closed
Revised Maps Better Reflect Flood Risks
FEMA’s map revision more accurately reflects today's flood risks, which will:
- Provide property owners along the coast of Hillsborough County with up-to-date, reliable, Internet-accessible information about their risk of storm surge-driven coastal flooding
- Help residents and business owners make more informed decisions about protecting their property and financial stability
- Allow community planners, local officials, engineers, builders, and others to make important determinations about where and how new structures and developments should be built
Preliminary Map Revisions for Coastal Areas
What to Expect
- Expect changes to loan requirements and flood insurance costs in areas where updates occur. Some residents and business owners will find that their flood risk has increased, while others it may actually have been reduced. The NFIP has insurance cost-saving rating options to help reduce financial impacts. Property owners should contact their insurance agent to determine what the best option and coverage is for them.
- Revised flood maps will guide Hillsborough County's planning decisions and development requirements resulting in a more resilient county.
- New FIRMs become effective in 2021, though the County will keep the public and stakeholders informed throughout process.
Additional Resources
- New Flood Maps for Hillsborough County's Coastal Areas - Fact Sheet | Hoja informativa - Español
- Hillsborough County to Receive New Coastal Flood Maps - FAQs | Preguntas frecuentes - Español
- Flood Map and Insurance Changes for Coastal Areas - Fact Sheet for Insurance Professionals | Hoja de datos para profesionales de seguros - Español
- Flood Maps for Coastal Areas - Fact Sheet for Realty and Lending Professionals | Mapas de inundaciones para áreas costeras - Hoja de datos para profesionales de bienes raíces y préstamos - Español
- Map Changes and Flood Insurance (FEMA)
- Preliminary Summary of Map Actions on Previously Issued Letter of Map Change Actions (LOMR, LOMR-F, and LOMA)
- Understanding FEMA Summary of Map Actions and Revalidation Letter (FEMA)
Contacts
- Unincorporated Hillsborough County property owners: call (813) 635-5400
- City of Tampa property owners: call Construction Services at (813) 274-3100, between 8 AM to 4:30 PM, or visit the City's information page
- Insurance impacts: contact your insurance agent or visit www.FloodSmart.gov
Update Timeline
All coastal counties in the Tampa Bay Area are undergoing coastal flood risk map updates. The timeline for Hillsborough County's update process is outlined below. Dates are subject to change.
- Discovery, Data Collection, and Stakeholder Coordination - 2013
- Modeling - 2013 to 2017
- Work Map Production - 2018
- Preliminary Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) and Flood Insurance Studies (FIS) Report – November 2018
- FEMA Public Comment Period - October 2019 – January 2020
- FEMA issues Letter of Final Determination (LFD) – Late summer 2020 (expected)
- Hillsborough County will conduct outreach to property owners who may benefit from time-sensitive National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) flood insurance rating options
- Official adoption of required code changes by Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners within 6 months of LFD issuance
- Effective FIRM and FIS Report – Fall 2021 (expected)
- Changes in building and flood insurance requirements due to flood zone and/or Base Flood Elevation changes become effective