Flood Insurance Study (FIS) for Lee County
Since the first Flood Insurance Rate Maps were adopted in Lee County in 1984, FEMA has occasionally updated portions of the maps. Effective August 28, 2008, Lee County adopted the first comprehensive update affecting FIRM panels countywide.
Preliminary map panels for the 2008 update were presented in 2006 as part of a nationwide map modernization. These new maps included previously unmapped areas and also established new floodways. Floodways are areas along rivers, creeks, canals and other natural watercourses in the Special Food Hazard Area (SFHA). Within these floodways, there are additional regulations governing construction and the placement of fill.
Lee County hosted a public open house Oct. 25, 2006 to reveal these preliminary maps to the public. Representatives of FEMA attended and discussed map modification with about 250 people.
On Jan. 31, 2007, Lee County, the city of Sanibel, the Town of Fort Myers Beach, and several private property owners appealed specific map panels. These appeals generally asked FEMA to reduce areas included in the regulatory floodways and in coastal hazard areas. These appeals changed 76 of the 155 proposed map panels.
Flood Insurance Study (FIS) revised Dec. 7, 2018
On December 7, 2018, the Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) along the Ten Mile Canal were revised by FEMA. The Food Insurance Study (FIS) was also revised on December 7, 2018. However, the RISK Map analysis that is now effective has superseded these FIS revisions. Please read below for more information.
Coastal Mapping, Assessment & Planning (Risk MAP)
In November 2014, FEMA notified Lee County that it was analyzing coastal wave action in the Gulf of Mexico as part of its Risk Mapping, Assessment & Planning (Risk MAP) program. This analysis was used to create new elevation data for Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs). Preliminary maps were released in June of 2019. Lee county hired a consultant early in the process to monitor data collection and modeling. The consultant assisted the county with appeals during this process. A Community Coordination and Outreach (CCO) meeting was held in 2020 at FSW.
Hendry, Charlotte and Sarasota counties were included in this effort.
2022 FEMA Flood Map Revisions
Flood Mapping quick links:
Learn more about these Map Corrections topics: