Title: FEMAQ3 Flood Data
Originator: Federal Emergency Management Agency, Washington, DC
Abstract:
The Q3 Flood Data are derived from the Flood
Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMS) published by the Federal Emergency Management Agency
(FEMA). The file is georeferenced to the
earth’s surface using geographic projection and decimal degree coordinate
system. The specifications for the horizontal
control of Q3 Flood Data files are consistent with those required for mapping
at a scale of 1:24,000.
The FIRM is
the basis for floodplain management, mitigation, and insurance activities for
the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).
Insurance applications include enforcement of the mandatory purchase requirement
of the Flood Disaster Protection Act which "... requires the purchase of
flood insurance by property owners who are being assisted by Federal programs
or by Federally supervised, regulated or insured agencies or institutions in
the acquisition or improvement of land facilities located or to be located in
identified areas having special flood hazards" (Section 2 (b) (4) of the
1973 Flood Disaster Protection Act). In
addition to the identification of Special Flood Hazard Areas, the risk zones
shown on the FIRMs are the basis for the establishment of premium rates for
flood coverage offered through the NFIP.
Q3 Flood Data files are intended to convey certain key features from the
existing hard copy FIRM to provide users with automated flood risk data. Edge-matching errors, overlaps and
deficiencies in coverage, and similar problems are not corrected during digitizing
or post-processing. These data may be
used to locate Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHAs). More detailed information may be obtained from the paper FIRM.
Format: vector lines – Arc shapefile
Spatial Reference Information: Decimal Degrees, North American Datum 1983
