FEMA Flood Maps Update - Duluth, Minnesota

Flood risk changes over time and mapping technology has improved. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is using updated data and newer technology to create updated Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) to more accurately represent the risk of flooding in Duluth.

New maps help Duluth better understand flood risks, which allows for more informed decisions about how to protect against damage and loss.

At this time, the updated flood maps are considered preliminary. This means that they are in draft form, and open for public review and input. The comments and appeals process is outlined below. Once all comments and appeals have been addressed and the maps are adopted by FEMA, the new Flood Insurance Rate Maps will become effective and final.

See below for details on how you can submit comments or appeals on the new Preliminary FIRMs. Comments or appeals must be submitted by Jan. 18, 2024.

The flood maps (FIRMs) show areas at high-risk of flooding - known as Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHAs). These areas are shown on the flood maps as Zone A, AE, AE (Floodway) or VE (coastal) Zones. An explanation of each zone can be found below the Map Viewer. If your home or business is in a high-risk area, and you have a mortgage, your lender will require flood insurance.

You can use the Flood Map Change Viewer below to see the proposed (preliminary) flood zones for any property in Duluth by entering an address.

First, you’ll want to review the instructions below on how to use the Map Viewer.

Areas subject to inundation by the 1% annual chance flood event generally determined using approximate methodologies. Because detailed hydraulic analyses have not been performed, no Base Flood Elevations (BFEs) or flood depths are shown. Mandatory flood insurance purchase requirements and floodplain management standards apply.

Areas subject to inundation by the 1% percent annual chance flood event determined by detailed methods. BFEs are shown. Mandatory flood insurance purchase requirements and floodplain management standards apply.

A channel of a river or other watercourse and the adjacent land areas that must be reserved to discharge the base flood without cumulatively increasing the water surface elevation more than a designated height. Communities must regulate development in these floodways to limit increases in upstream flood elevations. Additionally, the state of Washington prohibits the construction of new or substantially improved and repaired residential structures in the floodway.

Also known as coastal high hazard areas, VE Zones are areas subject to high velocity water including waves. They are defined by the 1% annual chance flood event and wave effects 3 feet or greater. 

Areas subject to inundation between the 1% and 0.2% annual chance flood events.

Duluth has been in FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) since 1980, and so there are existing FEMA Flood Zones established throughout Duluth.

You can use the City of Duluth Flood Map Viewer (with instructions below) to review existing (approved) flood zones and the preliminary flood zones (that are shown on the maps above). In addition, this map viewer has elevation contours, stream names and property boundaries. You can find property by entering an address or parcel ID number.

When FEMA releases preliminary maps, the agency provides a public process and appeal period to allow the constituents of affected communities to review the maps and help ensure the maps appropriately shows the flood risk.

While the latest technical information has been collected to inform our understanding of the flood risk, it is important to provide an avenue for affected stakeholders to provide feedback and specific local knowledge for the maps.

Two Types of Responses to the Preliminary FIRM maps that FEMA will consider:

1. A "Comment" to point out incorrect street names, typographical errors, or omissions, and
2. An "Appeal" of the flood hazard determination (ie. Zone A, AE, AE with Floodway) for a property. PLEASE NOTE: The sole basis for such appeals is the possession of knowledge or information indicating the proposed flood hazard determinations are scientifically or technically incorrect. Only appeals supported by scientific or technical data can be considered. These data are typically produced by a civil engineer.

The City of Duluth will collect all of the Comments and Appeals and consolidate them into a single submission to FEMA at the end of the appeal period. ALL COMMENTS AND APPEALS MUST BE SUBMITTED IN THE FORM BELOW BY JAN. 18, 2024.

Local communities can choose to participate in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and if they do, FEMA makes federal flood insurance available to residents and businesses in the community.

To join the NFIP, Duluth agreed to adopt a floodplain ordinance and manage all development in mapped floodplains in compliance with FEMA regulations.

Duluth’s floodplain regulations can be found at  https://duluthmn.gov/media/12567/nro-12-21.pdf 

Questions about Duluth’s floodplain regulations can be directed to  planning@duluthmn.gov .

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) provides assistance to local governments in the administration of the National Flood Insurance Program and land use regulations.  Here are some helpful links.

What are Floodplains and how are they managed? -  https://files.dnr.state.mn.us/publications/waters/floodplain_basics.pdf 

Floodplain Regulations and Frequently Asked Questions -  https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/waters/watermgmt_section/floodplain/regulations.html 

Flood Insurance -  https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/waters/watermgmt_section/floodplain/flood_insurance.html 

FEMA Flood Insurance -   https://www.floodsmart.gov/