(a) The following maps may be prepared by the Federal Insurance Administrator for use in connection with the sale of flood insurance:
(1) Flood Insurance Rate Map: This map is prepared after the flood hazard study for the community has been completed and the risk premium rates have been established. The FIRM indicates the risk premium rate zones applicable in the community and when those rates are effective. The FIRM also may indicate, at the request of the community, zones to identify areas of future-conditions flood hazards. The symbols used to designate the risk premium rate zones and future-conditions zones are as follows: ------------------------------------------------------------------------
Zone symbol------------------------------------------------------------------------A..................................... Area of special flood hazard
without water surface
elevations determinedA1-30, AE............................. Area of special flood hazard
with water surface elevations
determinedA0.................................... Area of special flood hazards
having shallow water depths and/
or unpredictable flow paths
between (1) and (3) ftA99................................... Area of special flood hazard
where enough progress has been
made on a protective system,
such as dikes, dams, and
levees, to consider it complete
for insurance rating purposesAH.................................... Areas of special flood hazards
having shallow water depths and/
or unpredictable flow paths
between (1) and (3) feet, and
with water surface elevations
determinedAR.................................... Area of special flood hazard
that results from the
decertification of a previously
accredited flood protection
system that is determined to be
in the process of being
restored to provide base flood
protectionV..................................... Area of special flood hazards
without water surface
elevations determined, and with
velocity, that is inundated by
tidal floods (coastal high
hazard area)V1-30, VE............................. Area of special flood hazards,
with water surface elevations
determined and with velocity,
that is inundated by tidal
floods (coastal high hazard
area)V0.................................... Area of special flood hazards
having shallow water depths and/
or unpredictable flow paths
between (1) and (3) ft. and
with velocityB, X.................................. Areas of moderate flood hazards
or areas of future-conditions
flood hazard.C, X.................................. Area of minimal hazardsD..................................... Area of undetermined but
possible, flood hazardsM..................................... Area of special mudslide (i.e.,
mudflow) hazardsN..................................... Area of moderate mudslide (i.e.,
mudflow) hazardsP..................................... Area of undetermined, but
possible, mudslide hazardsE..................................... Area of special flood-related
erosion hazards.------------------------------------------------------------------------ Areas identified as subject to more than one hazard (flood, mudslide (i.e., mudflow), flood-related erosion) or potential hazard (i.e., future-conditions flooding) will be designated on the FIRM by use of the proper zone symbols in combination.
(2) Flood Hazard Boundary Map (FHBM). This map is issued by the Administrator delineating Zones A, M, and E within a community.
(b) Notice of the issuance of new or revised FHBMs or FIRMs is given in Part 65 of this subchapter. The mandatory purchase of insurance is required within designated Zones A, A1-30, AE, A99, AO, AH, AR, AR/A1-30, AR/AE, AR/AO, AR/AH, AR/A, V1-30, VE, V, VO, M, and E.
(c) The FHBM or FIRM shall be maintained for public inspection at the following locations:
(1) The information office of the State agency or agencies designated by statute or the respective Governors to cooperate with the Federal Insurance Administrator in implementing the Program whenever a community becomes eligible for Program participation and the sale of insurance pursuant to this section or is identified as flood prone.
(2) One or more official locations within the community in which flood insurance is offered.
(3) [Reserved]
(4) The official record copy of each official map shall be maintained in FEMA files in Washington, DC. [41 FR 46986, Oct. 26, 1976. Redesignated at 44 FR 31177, May 31, 1979, as amended at 46 FR 1274, Jan. 6, 1981; 48 FR 28278, June 21, 1983; 48 FR 44544 and 44552, Sept. 29, 1983; 49 FR 4751, Feb. 8, 1984; 50 FR 36028, Sept. 4, 1985; 59 FR 53599, Oct. 25, 1994; 62 FR 55716, Oct. 27, 1997; 66 FR 59170, Nov. 27, 2001]