Flood Insurance Studies (FIS)
What is a FIS?
A Flood Insurance Study (FIS) is a book that contains information regarding flooding in a community and is developed in conjunction with the Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM). The FIS, also known as a flood elevation study, frequently contains a narrative of the flood history of a community and discusses the engineering methods used to develop the FIRMs. The study also contains flood profiles for studied flooding sources and can be used to determine Base Flood Elevations for some areas.
Where Can I View a FIS?
FIS texts can be viewed on-line at the FEMA Map Service Center .The Map Service Center (MSC) also offers FIS images on CD-ROM, in paper format or for immediate download. All maps are viewable on-line for free. Users may also create a free "FIRMette" which is a user defined portion of the map at 100-percent scale that can be printed on standard paper sizes.
An image viewer, called Flood Map Image Tool (F-MIT) Basic version 1.0, is packaged with the scanned maps on CD-ROM. It allows customers to view, zoom in and pan the image. In addition, F-MIT enables customers to create a "FIRMette" The F-MIT Basic image viewer can be downloaded directly from this FEMA Map Service Center website at no cost.
If you would like to examine the maps and speak with someone knowledgeable about your local circumstances, you may also contact your local map repository, an office that keeps the FEMA maps for public reference and use. This office is usually in your local planning, engineering, or public works department.
How Do I Read a FIS?
How to Read A Flood Insurance Study (FIS) Tutorial
This tutorial educates users on the use and application of FEMA FIS texts. Each component of the FIS, including profiles, cross sections, and notes is explored and explained.
Last Modified: Tuesday, 23-May-2006 11:09:38 EDT
Contacts
Online Flood Maps
Tel: (800) 358-9616
Fax: 1 (800) 358-9620
FEMA-MSCservice@dhs.gov
FEMA Map Service Center
P.O. Box 1038
Jessup, Maryland 20794-1038