Online Flood Maps

Current Flood Maps (2-18-2005)

FEMA's current flood maps are viewable online.

Flood Insurance Studies (FIS) & Historical Flood Maps 

Every community participating in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) has an initial Flood Insurance Study that comprehensively analyzes the community's flood risks.  While typically of primary interest to hydraulic engineers, these studies can be found listed at the bottom of this page.  To better understand the flood risks within your community and how they have evolved, reviewing the initial Flood Insurance Study and the accompanying original flood maps is important.  Over time, the readability of older original flood maps tends to deteriorate.  To address this, we have digitized and improved the legibility of these older map sets.  It's important to be aware that these remastered versions are approximations.  When evaluating buildings located near a flood boundary line, it is advisable to refer to the original flood panel maps, also provided below, for your reference.

Past Maps

Before the official Flood Hazard Rate Map (FIRM) was established, the NFIP released a Flood Hazard Boundary Map (FHBM) on June 15, 1973.  This early map did not include identified flood zones or Base Flood Elevation (BFE) levels within the City of Key West; these zones and BFEs were only depicted outside the city limits.  The entire city was categorized as an 'Approximate A Zone' under this map, with a minimum elevation requirement of two feet above grade.  Approximately a year later, on July 1, 1974 (as reflected in revised maps dated October 29, 1976), the first FIRM with identified flood zones and BFEs was issued.  It's essential to stress the significance of consulting older flood maps, as property owners may need to demonstrate compliance with the flood maps in effect at the time of construction.  These old flood maps are listed at the bottom of this page.

Proposed Maps

If FEMA’s proposed maps do become effective, a number of buildings presently not required to maintain flood insurance - currently located within an "X" type flood zone - may need to obtain flood insurance for the first time, as those "X" zones are scheduled to shrink. Some 2,000 buildings presently in an "X" type flood zone will be remapped into "AE" type zones. You can access these preliminary flood maps by clicking here.

Post Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) Buildings

Property owners may need to demonstrate compliance with flood zones and minimum elevation requirements in effect during construction.  The City has digitally remastered old FEMA flood maps, making them easily accessible online.  You can match your building with the relevant flood map from that period.  It's advisable to use the most recent flood map dated before the construction permit issuance. Please click here to access the digitized historic FIRMS of Key West.

Copies of the old original FEMA paper maps are available below.