Risk MAP for governments

How does the Risk MAP program work?

Risk MAP delivers county-wide digital maps for each project. There are three phases of the Risk MAP process: discovery, mapping, and resilience.

1. Discovery: During this first phase we meet with you to learn about your local government’s needs and scope the project. We review your risk and learn how we can tailor the program to best help you.
    
2. Mapping: In the next phase, FEMA delivers flood maps in draft and preliminary form before adopting the new map. We work with you to review the revised flood maps and plan an outreach strategy. Then, we hold a public meeting together to inform property owners about the new maps and impacts of changes to the floodplain.
    
3. Resilience: The final phase of Risk MAP is mitigation planning where we work with you to reduce your risk to natural hazards. During this phase, we brief elected and local officials on the program’s outcomes and impacts to changes in the flood map. We bring Risk MAP data, assessments, and maps to leaders and work with planners to mitigate your risk.

What is the focus of the studies?

Flood map updates are being funded statewide and are done in close coordination with local governments and partners. We are currently focused on older mapping where we have up-to-date and highly accurate data to support today's digital mapping products. 

FEMA updated all coastal flood hazard mapping along Washington's marine coasts and Puget Sound. FEMA is now using very accurate digital terrain data to update riverine and lake flood hazard areas. 

What are the current projects in Washington?

See what counties have projects under on our Risk MAP projects page. On this page, you can also view effective flood hazard mapping, contact your regional floodplain specialist, and provide feedback using an interactive map tool.