Roanoke County residents encouraged to review updated FEMA flood maps and submit appeals before final deadline
Roanoke, Virginia – Roanoke County residents are being urged to examine new preliminary flood maps recently released by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), which may affect whether homeowners are required to purchase flood insurance. These updated maps, hosted on FEMA’s Region 3 Flood Map Changes Application, are currently available for public review before their final publication later this spring.
The new floodplain maps mark areas of increased or decreased risk of flooding. These changes are important because they determine flood insurance requirements for properties with federally backed mortgages. Residents in areas newly added to the floodplain could be required to purchase flood insurance, while others in areas now classified as lower risk may no longer be obligated to carry such coverage.
FEMA’s mapping tool allows users to search their address to see if their property is affected. On the map, yellow areas indicate zones where the flood risk has increased, while purple areas show where risk has decreased. This visual system helps residents quickly identify any changes relevant to their property.
Those with questions or concerns about the changes can reach out locally to Roanoke County Civil Engineer Nickie Mills by calling 540-772-2033. Additionally, residents can submit comments or questions about FEMA’s Preliminary Map Products before the close of the 90-day appeal period, which ends on February 13, 2026.
Comments can be sent to the following contacts:
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Amanuel Ghebreegziabher, FEMA Project Officer
[email protected] -
Stacey Farinholt and Tasheem Crosby, State NFIP Office
[email protected]
[email protected] -
David Cooper, Mapping Partner Project Manager
[email protected]
Residents are encouraged to act promptly, as the finalized flood maps will have a lasting impact on flood insurance obligations and risk awareness across the region. Visit the Region 3 Flood Map Changes Application and use the search tool to explore your address today.
