Main Content

Guidance

Guidance documents provide best practices for FEMA's Risk MAP program. These guidance documents are intended to support current FEMA standards and facilitate effective and efficient implementation of the program. All guidance documents were written to support FEMA standards, but nothing presented in this document is considered mandatory. Alternate approaches that comply with standards that support program objectives are also acceptable.

To help you navigate the available guidance and related documentation, there are additional instructions for Finding Standards, Guidance, and Related Documents.

SizePublication Date
Icon for file of type application/pdfGuidance: Zone A99 and Zone AR Determinations (May 2015)
0.15MJuly 15, 2015
Icon for file of type application/pdfGuidance: Areas of Mitigation Interest (May 2016)
0.81M
Icon for file of type application/pdfGuidance: Coastal General Study Considerations (May 2016)
0.41MSeptember 6, 2016
Icon for file of type application/pdfGuidance: Flood Risk Report (May 2016)
0.91MSeptember 6, 2016
Icon for file of type application/pdfGuidance: Discovery (May 2016)
0.62MAugust 4, 2016
Icon for file of type application/pdfGuidance: Coastal General Study Considerations (May 2014)
0.34MJuly 30, 2014
Icon for file of type application/pdfGuidance: Flood Risk Map (May 2014)
1.38MAugust 1, 2014
Icon for file of type application/pdfGuidance: Flood Risk Database (May 2016)
0.55MAugust 16, 2016
Icon for file of type application/pdfGuidance: Flood Risk Map (May 2016)
1.55MAugust 16, 2016
Icon for file of type application/pdfGuidance: Coastal Water Levels (May 2016)
0.76MAugust 23, 2016
Icon for file of type application/pdfGuidance: Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) Graphics (May 2016)
2.69M
Icon for file of type application/pdfGuidance: Coastal Notation, Acronyms, and Glossary of Terms (May 2016)
0.45MAugust 23, 2016
Icon for file of type application/pdfGuidance: Coastal Non-Regulatory Datasets (May 2014)
0.67MAugust 23, 2016
Icon for file of type application/pdfGuidance: MT-1 Technical (May 2016)
1.79MJuly 29, 2016
Icon for file of type application/pdfGuidance: Contiguous Community Matching (May 2016)
0.09MJuly 29, 2016
Icon for file of type application/pdfGuidance: Database Verification Tool (DVT) (May 2016)
0.18MJuly 29, 2016
Icon for file of type application/pdfGuidance: Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) Index (Nov 2015)
1.87MDecember 11, 2015
Icon for file of type application/pdfGuidance: Coastal Floodplain Mapping (Nov 2015)
0.91MDecember 18, 2015
Icon for file of type application/pdfGuidance: Coastal Structures (Nov 2015)
0.21MDecember 18, 2015
Icon for file of type application/pdfGuidance: Mapping Information Platform (Nov 2015)
1.70MDecember 11, 2015
Icon for file of type application/pdfGuidance: Stakeholder Engagement Project Planning Phase (May 2016)
0.19MAugust 4, 2016
Icon for file of type application/pdfGuidance: Stakeholder Engagement Preliminary National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) Map Release Phase (May 2016)
0.23MAugust 4, 2016
Icon for file of type application/pdfGuidance: Stakeholder Engagement Due Process Phase (May 2016)
0.30MAugust 4, 2016
Icon for file of type application/pdfGuidance: Stakeholder Engagement Discovery Phase (May 2016)
0.29MAugust 4, 2016
Icon for file of type application/pdfGuidance: Stakeholder Engagement Risk Awareness Phase (May 2016)
0.77MAugust 4, 2016
Icon for file of type application/pdfGuidance: Technical Support Data Notebook and Flood Elevation Determination Docket (May 2016)
0.34M
Icon for file of type application/pdfGuidance: Automated Engineering (May 2016)
0.54MJuly 21, 2016
Icon for file of type application/pdfGuidance: Appeal and Comment Processing (May 2016)
0.76MJuly 21, 2016
Icon for file of type application/pdfGuidance: Levee-Specific Non-Regulatory Flood Risk Datasets (May 2016)
1.07MJuly 21, 2016
Icon for file of type application/pdfGuidance: Letter of Final Determination (May 2016)
0.38MJuly 21, 2016
Icon for file of type application/pdfGuidance: Flood Risk Assessments (May 2016)
0.85MJuly 21, 2016
Icon for file of type application/pdfGuidance: Base Map and FIRM Panel Layout (May 2016)
0.81MJuly 29, 2016
Icon for file of type application/pdfGuidance: Data Capture - Workflow Details (May 2016)
3.03MJuly 29, 2016
Icon for file of type application/pdfGuidance: Elevation (May 2016)
0.16MJuly 29, 2016
Icon for file of type application/pdfGuidance: Documentation of Endangered Species Act Compliance for Conditional Letters of Map Change (May 2016)
0.29MJuly 29, 2016
Icon for file of type application/pdfGuidance: Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) Database (May 2016)
2.81MJuly 29, 2016
Icon for file of type application/pdfGuidance: General Hydologic Considerations (May 2016)
0.17MJuly 29, 2016
Icon for file of type application/pdfGuidance: Geospatial Data Coordination (May 2016)
0.23MJuly 29, 2016
Icon for file of type application/pdfGuidance: Key Decision Point (KDP) Process (May 2016)
1.41MJuly 29, 2016
Icon for file of type application/pdfGuidance: LOMR Incorporation (May 2016)
0.19MJuly 29, 2016
Icon for file of type application/pdfGuidance: Notice-to-Users Revisions (May 2016)
0.60MJuly 29, 2016
Icon for file of type application/pdfGuidance: Physical Map Revision (PMR) (May 2016)
0.34MJuly 29, 2016
Icon for file of type application/pdfGuidance: Projections Coordinate Systems (May 2016)
0.09MJuly 29, 2016
Icon for file of type application/pdfGuidance: Quality Review (May 2016)
0.17MJuly 29, 2016
Icon for file of type application/pdfGuidance: Stakeholder Engagement Data Product Development Phase (May 2016)
0.26MAugust 4, 2016
Icon for file of type application/pdfGuidance: Dam-Specific Non-Regulatory Flood Risk Datasets (May 2016)
1.29M
Icon for file of type application/pdfGuidance: Flood Insurance Study (FIS) Report (May 2016)
0.91M
Icon for file of type application/pdfGuidance: Preliminary Distribution and Revised Preliminary (Nov 2015)

2015

0.45MDecember 18, 2015
Icon for file of type application/pdfGuidance: Coastal Wave Setup (Nov 2015)
0.79MDecember 28, 2015
Icon for file of type application/pdfGuidance: Versioning (Nov 2015)
0.11MJanuary 5, 2016
Icon for file of type application/pdfGuidance: Appeal and Comment Processing (May 2016)
0.76M
Icon for file of type application/pdfGuidance: Calculation of Incident Wave Height and Slope for use with TAW Wave Runup Method (May 2015)
0.10MJuly 15, 2015
Icon for file of type application/pdfGuidance: Flood Insurance Study (FIS) Report (Nov 2015)
0.50MDecember 11, 2015
Icon for file of type application/pdfGuidance: First Order Approximation (Nov 2015)
0.32MDecember 11, 2015
Icon for file of type application/pdfGuidance: Extraterritorial Jurisdiction Mapping and Distribution (Nov 2014)
0.47M
Icon for file of type application/pdfGuidance: Coastal Data Capture (May 2014)
0.25MJuly 30, 2014
Icon for file of type application/pdfGuidance: Coastal-Specific Non-Regulatory Datasets (May 2014)
0.67MJuly 30, 2014
Icon for file of type application/pdfGuidance: Vertical Datum Conversion (May 2014)
0.33MJuly 30, 2014
Icon for file of type application/pdfGuidance: Levee Seclusion (Nov 2014)
1.26MJanuary 7, 2015
Icon for file of type application/pdfGuidance: Mapping Base Flood Elevations on Flood Insurance Rate Maps (Nov 2014)
0.56MJanuary 7, 2015
Icon for file of type application/pdfGuidance: Metadata (Nov 2014)
0.20MJanuary 7, 2015
Icon for file of type application/pdfGuidance: Quality Management (May 2014)
0.14MJuly 30, 2014
Icon for file of type application/pdfGuidance: Flood Depth and Analysis Grids (May 2014)
2.26MJuly 30, 2014
Icon for file of type application/pdfGuidance: Coastal Study Documentation and Intermediate Data Submittals (May 2014)
0.29MJuly 30, 2014
Icon for file of type application/pdfGuidance: Changes Since Last FIRM (May 2014)
1.12MJuly 30, 2014
Icon for file of type application/pdfGuidance: Flood Risk Assessments (May 2014)
1.35MJuly 30, 2014
Icon for file of type application/pdfGuidance: Quality Review (May 2014)
0.17MJuly 30, 2014
Icon for file of type application/pdfGuidance: Coastal Barrier Resources System (CBRS) Mapping on FEMA FIRMs (May 2014)
0.74MAugust 6, 2014
Icon for file of type application/pdfGuidelines and Specifications for Flood Hazard Mapping Partners, Volume 2: Map Revisions and Amendments (Apr 2003)
5.02M
Icon for file of type application/pdfGuidelines for Coastal Flood Hazard Analysis and Mapping for the Pacific Coast of the United States (Jan 2005)
6.57M
Icon for file of type application/pdfPolicy for Accepting GIS Tools for Flood Hazard Mapping in NFIP (Aug 2001)
0.58M
Icon for file of type application/pdfPolicy for the Use of HEC-RAS in the National Flood Insurance Program (Apr 2001)
0.55M
Icon for file of type application/pdfGuidelines and Specifications for Flood Hazard Mapping Partners, Appendix F: Guidance for Ice-Jam Analyses and Mapping (Apr 2003)
1.64M
Icon for file of type application/pdfGuidelines and Specifications for Flood Hazard Mapping Partners, Appendix H: Guidance for Mapping or Areas Protected by Levee Systems (Apr 2003)
1.81M
Icon for file of type application/pdfProcedure Memorandum 9: Processing of Controlled Correspondence (Jul 2000)
0.59M
Icon for file of type application/pdfProcedure Memorandum 10: Guidance on the New Fee Charge Structure (Feb 2000)
0.53M
Icon for file of type application/pdfProcedure Memorandum 17: Direct Deposit Refunds for LOMCs (Dec 2000)
0.47M
Icon for file of type application/pdfProcedure Memorandum 18: Countywide News Releases (Dec 2000)
0.51M
Icon for file of type application/pdfProcedure Memorandum 19: MSC Product Naming Conventions (Apr 2002)
2.92M
Icon for file of type application/pdfProcedure Memorandum 20: Advance Proof Copies of FIRMs (Feb 2001)
0.54M
Icon for file of type application/pdfProcedure Memorandum 23: Procedures for Making Changes to FEMA Document Control Procedures Manual (Jun 2001)
0.60M
Icon for file of type application/pdfProcedure Memorandum 24: Unique Identifiers for MCC Products (May 2002)
0.58M
Icon for file of type application/pdfProcedure Memorandum 29: Maintenance and Control of the Guidelines and Specifications for Flood Hazard Mapping Partners (Dec 2002)
1.07M
Icon for file of type application/pdfProcedure Memorandum 31: Insert Letters Regarding Retention of Flood Insurance Policies for MT-1 & MT-2 As-Built LOMCs (Mar 2003)
0.60M
Icon for file of type application/pdfProcedure Memorandum 32: Levee Review Protocol (Jun 2003)
0.58M
Icon for file of type application/pdfProcedure Memorandum 33: Processing of Letters of Map Change Involving Below-Grade Crawlspaces Constructed Within Identified Special Flood Hazard Areas (Jul 2004)
0.60M
Icon for file of type application/pdfProcedure Memorandum 34: Interim Guidance for Studies Including Levees (Aug 2005)
0.89M
Icon for file of type application/pdfProcedure Memorandum 35: Additional Requirements for Inclusion in FY05 Study Contracts (Jul 2005)
0.54M
Icon for file of type application/pdfProcedure Memorandum 36: Profile Baselines on Digital Flood Insurance Rate Maps (DFIRMs) with Orthophoto Bases (Jul 2005)
0.57M
Icon for file of type application/pdfProcedure Memorandum 37: Protocol for Atlantic and Gulf Coast Coastal Flood Insurance Studies in FY05 (Aug 2005)
0.73M
Icon for file of type application/pdfProcedure Memorandum 38: Implementation of Floodplain Boundary Standard (Section 7 of MHIP V1.0) (Jan 2010)
8.84M
Icon for file of type application/pdfProcedure Memorandum 39: Requirements for Mapping and Review of Coastal Barrier Resources System Boundaries on Flood Insurance Rate Maps (Aug 2007)
4.55M
Icon for file of type application/pdfProcedure Memorandum 41: North American Vertical Datum of 1988 (NAVD88) Policy
0.57M
Icon for file of type application/pdfProcedure Memorandum 43: Answers to Questions about Procedure Memorandum No. 43 (Oct 2012)
0.55M
Icon for file of type application/pdfProcedure Memorandum 43: Guidelines for Identifying Provisionally Accredited Levees (Sept 2006)
1.11M
Icon for file of type application/pdfProcedure Memorandum 43: Answers to Questions about Procedure Memorandum No. 43 (Jul 2008)
3.03M
Icon for file of type application/pdfProcedure Memorandum 44: Protocol for Publishing Base Flood Elevation (BFE) Notices on the Web (Mar 2007)
0.50M
Icon for file of type application/pdfProcedure Memorandum 46: Partial-Countywide Mapping Evaluation (Jun 2008)
0.49M
Icon for file of type application/pdfProcedure Memorandum 47: Guidance for Determination of the 0.2-Percent-Annual-Chance Wave Envelope along the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico Coasts
1.48M
Icon for file of type application/pdfProcedure Memorandum 48: Protocol for Contractors Who Use and/or Order Paper Flood Insurance Maps and Map Products (Mar 2009)
0.57M
Icon for file of type application/pdfProcedure Memorandum 50: Policy and Procedures for Identifying and Mapping Areas Subject to Wave Heights Greater than 1.5 feet as an Informational Layer on Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) (Dec 2008)
2.13M
Icon for file of type application/pdfProcedure Memorandum 51: Guidance for Mapping of Non-Levee Embankments Previously Identified as Accredited (Feb 2009)
2.23M
Icon for file of type application/pdfProcedure Memorandum 52: Guidance for Mapping Processes Associated with Levee Systems (Apr 2009)
2.24M
Icon for file of type application/pdfProcedure Memorandum 53: Guidance for Notification and Mapping of Expiring Provisionally Accredited Levee Designations - Factsheet (Sept 2009)
0.53M
Icon for file of type application/pdfProcedure Memorandum 53: Guidance for Notification and Mapping of Expiring Provisionally Accredited Levee Designations (Apr 2009)
1.25M
Icon for file of type application/pdfProcedure Memorandum 54: Revised Requirements for MSC Deliverables Package (Apr 2010)
1.26M
Icon for file of type application/pdfProcedure Memorandum 56: Guidelines for Implementation of Coordinated Needs Management Strategy (CNMS) (Jun 2011)
4.58M
Icon for file of type application/pdfProcedure Memorandum 57: Expanded Appeals Process (EAP) (Nov 2011)
0.97M
Icon for file of type application/pdfProcedure Memorandum 58: Implementing the Scientific Resolution Panel Process (Nov 2010)
2.72M
Icon for file of type application/pdfProcedure Memorandum 59: Guidance for Implementation of Watershed-Based Studies (Jul 2010)
1.12M
Icon for file of type application/pdfProcedure Memorandum 60: Revision to Figure D.2.8-3, Wave Runup Guidance for Vertical Wall, From Shore Protection Manual (USACE, 1984) (Oct 2011)
0.88M
Icon for file of type application/pdfProcedure Memorandum 61: Standards for Lidar and Other High Quality Digital Topography (Sept 2010)
0.72M
Icon for file of type application/pdfProcedure Memorandum 62: Technical Support Data Notebook (TSDN) submittal and Flood Elevation Determination Docket (FEDD) File Review Protocol for Mapping Projects (May 2011)
2.09M
Icon for file of type application/pdfProcedure Memorandum 63: Guidance for Reviewing Levee Accreditation Submittals (Sept 2010)
0.63M
Icon for file of type application/pdfProcedure Memorandum 64: Compliance with the Endangered Species Act (ESA) for Letters of Map Change (Aug 2010)
0.63M
Icon for file of type application/pdfOperating Guidance 1-11: Risk MAP Guidance for Incorporating Mitigation Planning Technical Assistance and Training into Flood Risk Projects - Summary (Oct 2012)
0.08M
Icon for file of type application/pdfOperating Guidance 1-11: Risk MAP Guidance for Incorporating Mitigation Planning Technical Assistance and Training into Flood Risk Projects (Jun 2011)
0.16M
Icon for file of type application/pdfOperating Guidance 2-11 Operating Guidance for Creation of Risk MAP Products - Summary (Nov 2012)
0.08M
Icon for file of type application/pdfOperating Guidance 2-11-Operating Guidance for Creation of Risk MAP Products (Oct 2011)
0.98M
Icon for file of type application/pdfOperating Guidance 3-11: Communicating Flood Risk with Risk MAP Datasets and Products (Jul 2011)
2.35M
Icon for file of type application/pdfOperating Guidance 3-11: Communicating Flood Risk with Risk MAP Datasets and Products - Summary (Sep 2011)
0.53M
Icon for file of type application/pdfOperating Guidance 4-11: Risk MAP Meetings Guidance - Summary (Oct 2012)
0.09M
Icon for file of type application/pdfOperating Guidance 4-11: Risk MAP Meetings Guidance (Jun 2011)
0.54M
Icon for file of type application/pdfOperating Guidance 6-11: User Guidance for Flood Risk Datasets and Products (Dec 2011)
1.82M
Icon for file of type application/pdfOperating Guidance 6-11: User Guidance for Flood Risk Datasets and Products - Summary (Dec 2011)
0.52M
Icon for file of type application/pdfOperating Guidance 7-11: Application of TAW Runup Methodology to FEMA Needs (Oct 2011)
0.49M
Icon for file of type application/pdfOperating Guidance 7-11: Application of TAW Runup Methodology to FEMA Needs - Summary (Oct 2012)
0.09M
Icon for file of type application/pdfOperating Guidance 8-12-Joint Probability - Optimal Sampling Method for Tropical Storm Surge Frequency Analysis - Summary (Oct 2012)
0.08M
Icon for file of type application/pdfOperating Guidance 8-12: Joint Probability - Optimal Sampling Method for Tropical Storm Surge Frequency Analysis (Mar 2012)
0.37M
Icon for file of type application/pdfOperating Guidance 9-13: Operating Guidance for Designation of Zone VE based on Wave Runup Height (May 2013)
0.08M
Icon for file of type application/pdfOperating Guidance 10-13: Operating Guidance for Selection of Wave Runup Methods (May 2013)
0.06M
Icon for file of type application/pdfOperating Guidance 11-13: Operating Guidance for Review of Regulatory Products - Summary (Aug 2013)
0.15M
Icon for file of type application/pdfOperating Guidance 11-13: Operating Guidance for Review of Regulatory Products (Aug 2013)
0.37M
Icon for file of type application/pdfOperating Guidance 11-13- Post QR3 Self-Certification (Sample)
This is a sample of the Post-QR3 Corrections Confirmation and Self-Certification Form
0.13MNovember 7, 2013
Icon for file of type application/pdfOperating Guidance 11-13- Pre QR3 Self-Certification (Sample)
This is a sample of the Pre-QR3 Corrections Confirmation and Self-Certification Form
0.16MNovember 7, 2013
Icon for file of type application/vnd.ms-excel.12Operating Guidance 12-13: Non-Accredited Levee Analysis and Mapping Guidance (Sept. 2013) (Tables)
This spreadsheet contains tables referenced in "Operating Guidance 12-13 Non-Accredited Levee Analysis and Mapping Guidance (Sept. 2013)."
0.02M
Icon for file of type application/pdfOperating Guidance 12-13: Non-Accredited Levee Analysis and Mapping Guidance (Sept. 2013)
0.71M
Icon for file of type application/pdfOperating Guidance 13-13: Operating Guidance for Improving the Identification and Mapping of the LiMWA on Regulatory and Non-Regulatory NFIP Products (Oct 2013)
0.06M
Icon for file of type application/pdfOperating Guidance 14-13: Operating Guidance for Processing Appeals and Revisions to the LiMWA on Regulatory NFIP Products (Oct 2013)
0.04M
Icon for file of type application/pdfOperating Guidance 15-13: Revised Guidance for Dune Erosion Analysis for the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico Coasts (Oct 2013)
0.08M
Icon for file of type application/pdfMemo: Policy for Accepting Numerical Models for Use in the NFIP (Aug 2004)
0.49M
Icon for file of type application/pdfGuidelines and Standards for Flood Risk Analysis and Mapping, Appendix N: Flood Risk Data Development (Jan 2012)
5.54M
Icon for file of type application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.spreadsheetml.sheetGuidelines and Standards for Flood Risk Analysis and Mapping, Appendix O: Format and Standards for Non-Regulatory Flood Risk Products (Jan 2012) (Tables)
This spreadsheet contains tables referenced in "Guidelines and Standards for Flood Risk Analysis and Mapping, Appendix O: Format and Standards for Non-Regulatory Flood Risk Products (Jan 2012)."
0.04M
Icon for file of type application/pdfGuidelines and Standards for Flood Risk Analysis and Mapping, Appendix O: Format and Standards for Non-Regulatory Flood Risk Products (Jan 2012)
2.88M
Icon for file of type application/pdfGuidelines and Specifications for Flood Hazard Mapping Partners, Volume 1: Flood Studies and Mapping (Apr 2003)
2.91M
Icon for file of type application/pdfGuidelines and Standards for Flood Risk Analysis and Mapping, Appendix I: Discovery (Jul 2011)
1.56M
Icon for file of type application/pdfGuidelines and Specifications for Flood Hazard Mapping Partners, Appendix J: Format and Specifications for Flood Insurance Study Report (Apr 2003)
2.17M
Icon for file of type application/pdfGuidelines and Specifications for Flood Hazard Mapping Partners, Volume 3: Program Support (Apr 2003)
2.35M
Icon for file of type application/pdfGuidelines and Specifications for Flood Hazard Mapping Partners, Appendix B: Guidance for Converting to the North American Vertical Datum (Apr 2003)
0.70M
Icon for file of type application/pdfAtlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico Coastal Guidelines Update (Feb 2007)
5.09M
Icon for file of type application/pdfGuidelines and Specifications for Flood Hazard Mapping Partners - Reference Pages (April 2003)
1.67M
Icon for file of type application/pdfTechnical Memorandum: Guidance for Coastal Flood Hazard Analyses and Mapping in Sheltered Waters (Feb 2008)
0.87M
Icon for file of type application/pdfGuidelines and Specifications for Flood Hazard Mapping Partners, Appendix A: Guidance for Aerial Mapping and Surveying (Apr 2003)
1.73M
Icon for file of type application/pdfGuidelines and Specifications for Flood Hazard Mapping Partners, Appendix C: Guidance for Riverine Flooding Analyses and Mapping (Nov 2009)
0.86M
Icon for file of type application/pdfGuidelines and Specifications for Flood Hazard Mapping Partners, Appendix E: Guidance for Shallow Flooding Analyses and Mapping (Feb 2003)
1.62M
Icon for file of type application/pdfGuidelines and Specifications for Flood Hazard Mapping Partners, Appendix D: Guidance for Coastal Flooding Analyses and Mapping (Apr 2003)
3.67M
Icon for file of type application/pdfGuidelines and Specifications for Flood Hazard Mapping Partners, Appendix G: Guidance for Alluvial Fan Flooding Analyses and Mapping (Apr 2003)
0.02G