For maps created before 1986, the information explained in the FIS report is supported and graphically represent by a set of maps that include the Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) and the Flood Boundary and Floodway Maps (FBFMs).

Pre-1986 FIRMs that are still the current effective maps for a community are intended for use by Insurance Agents and Lenders since they only contain rounded BFE’s. The mirror FBFM panels are for use by Floodplain Administrators (FPAs) and other floodplain professionals to manage floodplain development.

FPAs and other floodplain professionals may be unaware of the existence of the FBFMs and inadvertently use just the pre-1986 FIRMs for floodplain management purposes. This may result in violations of the community’s floodplain management regulations. Development has been accidentally permitted in the floodway without meeting regulatory standards because the floodway is depicted on the pre-1986 FBFM and not depicted on the pre-1986 FIRMs.

If your flood maps are dated 1986 or later, the flood maps you are most likely to work with will be the FIRMs that include the Floodways, unless you are using historic FIRM/FBFM maps when reviewing development permitted during the time those maps were effective.