A map of a section of Kerr County, Texas, where a deadly flood struck on July 4, 2025, compares the FEMA flood map's 100-year flood zone (red) to First Street's more detailed 100-year flood zone ...

Maps from First Street, a climate risk modeling company in New York City, show at least 17 structures in the path of flood waters, compared to FEMA's current maps at the camp.

While FEMA has improved the accuracy and accessibility of the maps over time with better data, digital tools and community input, the maps still don't capture everything.

Parts of New York City’s subway system also flooded. The U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency’s flood maps are intended to be the nation’s primary tool for identifying flood risks.

FEMA’s maps are essential tools for identifying flood risks, but they have significant gaps that limit their effectiveness. One major limitation is that they don’t consider flooding driven by ...

A map of a section of Kerr County, Texas, where a deadly flood struck on July 4, 2025, compares the FEMA flood map’s 100-year flood zone (red) to First Street’s more detailed 100-year flood ...

What FEMA flood maps miss FEMA’s maps are essential tools for identifying flood risks, but they have significant gaps that limit their effectiveness.

A map of a section of Kerr County, Texas, where a deadly flood struck on July 4, 2025, compares the FEMA flood map’s 100-year flood zone (red) to First Street’s more detailed 100-year flood ...

advertisement 07-16-2025 IMPACT Why FEMA’s flood maps often miss dangerous flash flood risks There are areas of the country that flood, some regularly, that don’t show up on the maps as at risk.