Proposed Flood Insurance Rate Map Reflects Changes to Local Flood Risk
Published on August 19, 2026
Proposed Flood Insurance Rate Map Reflects Changes to Local Flood Risk
90-Day Appeal Period for Filing Appeals and Comments Begins August 19, 2026
Updates to Collier County Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) are nearly complete. The new map will provide Collier County with up-to-date flood risk information and tools that can be used to enhance local mitigation plans and help officials and residents make better decisions about reducing flood risks and purchasing flood insurance. The county’s mapping project is part of a nationwide effort led by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to increase local knowledge of flood risks and support actions to address and reduce those risks. The work in Collier County has been led by FEMA Region IV and the Florida Division of Emergency Management, in partnership with local community officials. Before the new Flood Insurance Rate Map is finalized, a 90-day appeal period will give residents and business owners a chance to provide additional technical data or non-technical comments for FEMA’s consideration.
Collier County Flood officials encourage residents and business owners to review the proposed map changes, learn about local flood risks and potential flood insurance requirements, and share any concerns or questions.
If members of the community notice incorrect information that does not involve changing the flood hazard-related information–such as a missing or misspelled road name or an incorrect corporate boundary–a written correction, or “comment,” can be submitted. If members of the community have concerns about certain areas of the map and have technical and scientific information–such as detailed hydraulic or hydrologic data–that can be used to improve the maps, they may file an appeal during the 90-day appeal period. FEMA also indicates that appellants need to demonstrate that better methodologies, assumptions, or data exist and, where appropriate, provide alternative analyses incorporating those methodologies, assumptions, or data. The results must demonstrate an overall change to the flood hazard information shown on the preliminary FIRM and/or in the FIS report.
All comments and appeals must be submitted through the local officials. Because submitting an appeal requires some time and effort, we encourage property owners and renters to review the updated flood maps now. Collier County recognizes that property owners, communities, organizations, and other interested parties may wish to submit technical data or documentation regarding the Preliminary Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) for consideration during the FEMA appeal process. Individuals or organizations seeking to appeal proposed flood hazard information must submit their supporting data and documentation to the Collier County Community Planning & Resiliency Division. The County will compile and transmit the information received to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and FEMA’s technical partners for consideration as part of the map review and appeal process. All comments and appeals must be submitted to Christopher Mason at Christopher.Mason@Collier.gov or (239) 252-2932.
Collier CountyCommunity Planning & Resiliency Division’s role in the appeals process:
The Collier County Community Planning & Resiliency Division plays an administrative role in the flood map appeals process, focusing primarily on basic property verification. The Division will confirm that each property is evaluated against the correct map panel, jurisdiction, and map series. The County does not perform technical reviews of flood modeling or evaluate the scientific sufficiency of an appeal; that technical determination rests entirely with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
Collier County facilitates the submission of information to FEMA and its technical partners. FEMA is responsible for reviewing and evaluating appeals and determining whether revisions to the proposed flood hazard information are warranted. Submission of information to Collier County does not constitute an appeal determination or guarantee that the proposed mapping will be revised.
Key Mapping Milestones:
March 20, 2025—Preliminary Flood Insurance Rate Map released
June 17, 2025—Flood Risk Community Open House
August 19, 2026 —Start of 90-day Appeal Period
Target Date-Summer 2027—New FIRM becomes effective; new flood insurance requirements are applied
Visit https://msc.fema.gov/fmcv or https://msc.fema.gov/portal to see the preliminary FIRM.
For information about the deadline for submitting an appeal or comments, call the Mitigation Division of FEMA in Region IV at (770) 220-5406.
For general information, contact a Map Specialist with any questions at (877) 336-2627 (toll free) between 7:00 a.m. and 5:30 p.m.
Date subject to change, pending completion of appeal review process.