FEMA Floodplain Insurance Rate Map Revisions

Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) are published by FEMA as a tool that can help inform the public about potential flood risks for an area. For example, these maps can be used by potential homebuyers to determine if a property is in a known floodplain. Mortgage lenders will use the FIRM to determine if a property is required to have a flood insurance policy. Insurance agents use the FIRM as a tool to help determine flood insurance rates for a property.

The City's Watershed Study Program began in 2010 after Tropical Storm Hermine caused widespread flooding across the Arlington.  Many of the effective FIRM"S relied on engineering data from the 1970s, which provided outdated depictions of flood risks throughout the community. Land development through that period significantly impacted the way stormwater runoff flows through each watershed.

The Watershed Study Program was established to evaluate storm data and land conditions to create modernized hydrologic and hydraulic models that represent current conditions.  These models allow the City to assess current flood risks, evaluate how changes to land can impact streams, assist with planning Capital Improvements Projects, and submit requests to FEMA to revise the FIRM.

Types of revisions to a FIRM include:

• Physical Map Revision (PMR) - Map panels are physically revised and republished. A PMR is used to change flood risk zones, floodplain and/or floodway delineations, flood elevations, and/or planimetric features.
  
  
• Letter of Map Revision (LOMR) - Document that officially revises a portion of the effective FIRM without physically revising and reprinting the entire map panel. A LOMR can also change flood risk zones, floodplain and/or floodway delineations, flood elevations, and/or planimetric features; however, they are primarily intended for small areas of change and areas where flood hazards are typically decreasing.
  
  
• Conditional Letter of Map Revision (CLOMR) – A document that determines whether a proposed project meets minimum National Flood Insurance Program standards. Projects that alter a floodway, raise the base flood elevation, or increases the footprint of the floodplain will generally require a CLOMR prior to construction. While a CLOMR does not alter the FIRM, it depicts a proposed revision for after a project is built as designed and a LOMR is approved to alter the FIRM based on as-built survey data.

Below is a summary of anticipated revisions to the FIRM based on the City's Watershed Study Program.

Rush Creek Watershed Study - Physical Map Revision (PMR)

The Rush Creek Watershed Study was originally submitted to FEMA for review in 2017. The study was designated to be included as part of a county-wide PMR, originally anticipated to become effective in 2020. Due to the ongoing review of studies in other parts of Tarrant County, FEMA has not yet provided a new effective date for this PMR. The City will provide a notification to all affected property owners once FEMA determines the next action.

While flood insurance requirements are determined based on the effective FIRM, the Arlington City Council adopted the Rush Creek Watershed Study by Resolution No. 18-054 on March 6, 2018. This allows the City to use the updated data to supplement the effective FIRM for the purposes of flood elevation determination, issuing building permits, enforcing the Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance, and planning future flood mitigation and response efforts. To view the proposed changes to the FIRM based on the Rush Creek Watershed Study, please visit the link and follow the instructions below.

Rush Creek Preliminary Map Revision

• Type an Address Number and Street Name into search box while in "Current NFHL" view and then select "apply".
• Select the address from the search results that best matches your property.
• Toggle between the "Current" and "Future" maps by selecting each option at the bottom of the page.  The legend on the right side of the screen will help you see if the property will be affected by changes to the FIRM.
  
  

Bowman Branch & Lynn Creek Watershed Studies - Letters of Map Revision (LOMR)

The Bowman Branch and Lynn Creek Watershed Studies were submitted to FEMA for review in 2024. Each study has completed initial reviews, had technical revisions to address comments, and have been resubmitted for acceptance as of Fall 2025. A LOMR for each of these watersheds is anticipated to become effective date in 2026. The City will provide a notification to all affected property owners when FEMA approves all technical data and begins preparing the final determination document.

For questions regarding map revisions or to make an appointment to review proposed FIRM updates in person, contact the Public Works Department at 817-459-6550 or publicworks@arlingtontx.gov. For more information from the FEMA Map Service Center, please visit www.fema.gov/flood-maps or call 1-877-336-2627.

Don't wait to purchase flood insurance! There is a 30-day waiting period for flood policies to take effect. Contact your local insurance agent for more information on rates and policies.

Maps

You can view the current Tarrant County FIRM maps and previously approved Arlington map revisions in the box below.