ODNR Division of
Soil & Water Resources
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Columbus, Ohio
43229-6693

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Flood Map Changes

While FEMA attempts to use the best flood hazard information available, some areas that are above the base flood elevation (BFE) may inadvertently be included within the 1%-annual-chance floodplain, or Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHAs).  There are multiple options available to request the removal for a particular structure or area of undeveloped land from the identified floodplain.

Topics on this page Top of page

  1. When might a mapping change be necessary?
  2. Letters of Map Amendment (LOMA)
  3. Letters of Map Revision based on Fill (LOMR-F)
  4. Conditional Letters of Map Revision (CLOMR)
  5. Letters of Map Revision (LOMR)
  6. How do I view an LOMC?
  7. Mapping Change Tracking page
  8. Questions

When might a mapping change be necessary? Top of page

  1. Limitations due to scale (LOMA)
  2. Limitations due to available topographic data (LOMA)
  3. Placement of fill which elevate sites to or above BFE (LOMR-F)
  4. New hydraulic or hydrology analysis (LOMR)

Property owners or lessees may apply for a Letter of Map Amendment (LOMA) or a Letter of Map Revision based on Fill (LOMR-F) for these situations. LOMAs and LOMR-Fs are documents issued by FEMA that officially change the FIRM and remove a property and/or structure from the SFHA.  In order for a property owner to obtain a map change, he or she must submit the appropriate application to FEMA for the property in question.  In most cases, the applicant will most likely need to hire a land surveyor to prepare an Elevation Certificate for the property.   

Letters of Map Amendment (LOMA)  Top of page

LOMAs are the most common type of mapping changes and are only applicable to changes that are the result of inadvertent inclusion due scale limitations and available topographic data. Please note that a LOMA cannot be obtained for a site and/or structure that is elevated on fill material; this would require a LOMR-F. A LOMA may only be obtained for a site and/or structure on natural grade. An MT-EZ application must be completed for a LOMA.

More information

  1. LOMA / LOMR-F Tutorial Series
  2. MT-EZ application download page
  3. Mapping references

Letter of Map Revision Top of page

Letter of Map Revision based on fill(LOMR-F)

LOMR-Fs are only applicable to mapping changes that are a result of a structure or parcel being elevated on fill above the Base Flood Elevation (BFE) An MT-1 application must be completed for a LOMR-F.  All requests for changes to effective maps, other than those initiated by FEMA and LOMAs, must be made in writing by the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the community or an official designated by the CEO. Because LOMAs, LOMR-Fs, and LOMRs officially revise the effective NFIP map, they are public records the community must maintain. Any LOMR should be noted on the community's master flood map and filed by panel number in an accessible location. 

More information

  1. LOMR-F Tutorial Series
  2. MT-1 application
  3. Mapping references

Conditional Letter of Map Revision (CLOMR) Top of page

A Conditional Letter of Map Revision (CLOMR) is FEMA's comment on a proposed project that would, upon construction, affect the hydrologic or hydraulic characteristics of a flooding source and thus result in the modification of the existing regulatory floodway, the effective Base Flood Elevations (BFEs), or the Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA). The letter does not revise an effective NFIP map, it indicates whether the project, if built as proposed, would be recognized by FEMA. FEMA charges a fee for processing a CLOMR to recover the costs associated with the review. Building permits cannot be issued based on a CLOMR, because a CLOMR does not change the NFIP map.  Once a project has been completed, the community must request a revision to the Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) to reflect the project. "As-built" certification and other data must be submitted to support the revision request.

Letter of Map Revision (LOMR) Top of page

A Letter of Map Revision (LOMR) is FEMA's modification to an effective Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM), or Flood Boundary and Floodway Map (FBFM), or both. LOMRs are generally based on the implementation of physical measures that affect the hydrologic or hydraulic characteristics of a flooding source and thus result in the modification of the existing regulatory floodway, the effective Base Flood Elevations (BFEs), or the Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA). The LOMR officially revises the Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) or Flood Boundary and Floodway Map (FBFM), and sometimes the Flood Insurance Study (FIS) report, and when appropriate, includes a description of the modifications. The LOMR is generally accompanied by an annotated copy of the affected portions of the FIRM, FBFM, or FIS report.

All requests for changes to effective maps, other than those initiated by FEMA, must be made in writing by the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the community or an official designated by the CEO. Because a LOMR officially revises the effective NFIP map, it is a public record that the community must maintain. Any LOMR should be noted on the community's master flood map and filed by panel number in an accessible location. An MT-2 application must be submitted to FEMA for all LOMRs.

More information

  1. MT-2 application
  2. Mapping References

How Can I View a LOMC? Top of page

LOMCs can be ordered by Volume and Issue or by a yearly subscription service or viewed online through the Map Service Center.

Archived Compendium of Flood Map Changes are also available.

FEMA’s Map Change tracking page Top of page

   Click here to view FEMA's map change status tracking page.

Questions? Top of page

FEMA's Map Service Center (MSC) serves to answer inquiries about map changes, their requirements, processing fees, etc. Click here for FEMA's Map Service Center contact information.