Learn More About the El Paso Mapping Process

Updating El Paso’s Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) and Flood Insurance Study (FIS) has been a multi-year, multi-phase effort. FEMA has worked with communities and property owners at all steps of the process to incorporate the best data available. The flood maps are developed using sound science generated by engineering experts, and FEMA always reviews and considers additional, validated flood hazard information from property owners and communities. As part of this collaborative process, a community or individual can review, appeal, and contribute to the development of a flood map before the community officially adopts the map.

The figure below highlights several of the phases. To learn more about the different phases of flood mapping, refer to the infographic What Goes Into A Flood Map? or visit here. To learn more about the history of the El Paso mapping study, download and read the project fact sheet English / Spanish

El Paso’s preliminary flood maps became available for public review on July 20, 2020. The next step is for FEMA to start an official 90-day public review and comment period. After publishing an announcement in the Federal Register, FEMA will publish two announcements about the review and comment period (about 10 days apart) in local newspapers. The public comment period will start when the second announcement is published.

During the 90 days, anyone can file a scientific or technical appeal or comment through their community. Please visit this webpage for more details. Once FEMA has reviewed and resolved all appeals and comments it receives from El Paso, it will finalize the flood map and study and issue a Letter of Final Determination (LFD). Communities have 6 months from the date of the LFD to ensure that their floodplain management ordinances recognize the new FIRM and FIS. During this time, residents and business owners whose flood risk is increasing should get a flood insurance policy in place to take advantage of the cost-saving insurance rating options that may not be available once the new flood maps are effective. Visit this webpage for more details on impacts on flood insurance.