Glossary
Flood Insurance Rate Map
The FEMA map used to show flood zones and related floodplain designations.
A Flood Insurance Rate Map, or FIRM, is FEMA's map showing flood zones and related designations for a community. Many LOMA and LOMR-F questions arise because a specific structure or parcel appears inside a mapped flood zone on the effective FIRM.
Key takeaways
The FIRM provides the map context behind the flood determination.
Users often need the map translated into practical next steps.
Why it matters
It defines the mapped zone context the file is trying to address.
It is often referenced in lender and technical documents.