URL: msc.fema.gov/MSC/ COST: $50 per CD AGENCY: Federal Emergency Management Association FORMAT: PROJECTION:

For Background . . . Hard Copy Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRM):- The most widely distributed flood map product is the Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM). Flood risk information presented on FIRMs is based on historic, meteorologic, hydrologic, and hydraulic data, as well as open-space conditions, flood control works, and development. To prepare FIRMs that illustrate the extent of flood hazard in a flood prone community, FEMA conducts engineering studies referred to as Flood Insurance Studies (FISs). Using information gathered in these studies, FEMA engineers and cartographers delineate Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHAs) on FIRMs. SFHAs are those areas subject to inundation by a flood that has a 1-percent or greater chance of being equaled or exceeded during any given year.

Not yet available . . . Digital Flood Insurance Rate Maps (DFIRM): The DFIRM is comprised of all digital data required to create the hardcopy FIRM. This includes base map information, graphics, text, shading, and other geographic and graphic data required to create the final hardcopy FIRM product to FEMA FIA-21 standards and specifications. This product serves the purpose of map design and provides the database from which the Digital Line Graph (DLG) thematic product of the flood risks is extracted to create the DFIRM-DLG. This product is generally produced in a countywide format.

Digital Q3 Flood Data - Digital Q3 Flood Data are developed by scanning the existing FIRM hardcopy, vectorizing a thematic overlay of flood risks. Vector Q3 Flood Data files contain only certain features from the existing FIRM hardcopy. Q3 vector data are contained in one single countywide file, including all incorporated and unincorporated areas of a county. Digital Q3 Flood Data do not replace the existing FIRM hardcopy or, if one exists, DFIRM product. Digital Q3 Flood Data are not tied to a base map, are not used to produce a new version of the FIRM hardcopy, and are not subjected to community review. The digital Q3 Flood Data are designed to provide guidance and a general proximity of the location of Special Flood Hazard Areas.

Coastal Barrier Resource Area (CBRA) Q3 - Coastal barriers are unique landforms that provide protection for diverse aquatic habitats and serve as the mainland's first line of defense against the impacts of coastal storms and erosion. Congress recognized the vulnerability of coastal barriers to development by passing the Coastal Barrier Resources Act in 1982 (CBRA). By restricting Federal expenditures and financial assistance which have the effect of encouraging development of coastal barriers, Congress aimed to minimize the loss of human life, wasteful expenditure of Federal revenues, and damage to fish, wildlife, and other natural resources associated with coastal barriers along the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico coasts. The CBRA, while not prohibiting privately financed development, prohibits most new Federal financial assistance, including flood insurance, within a designated Coastal Barrier Resources System (CBRS). In 1990, Congress passed the Coastal Barrier Improvement Act (CBIA). The CBIA tripled the size of the System established by the CBRA.

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Hard CopyFlood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRM): The FIRMs for your community should be available for review at your local community map repository site. Typically, this is your local planning, zoning, or engineering office. If you would like copies of FIRMs, they may be obtained from the Map Service Center. Because the Map Service Center maintains thousands of FIRMs, you will need to give the Center's personnel specific information about the map(s) you want to order. Please go to http://msc.fema.gov/MSC/ordrinfo.htm for detailed information on ordering FIRMs.

Digital Flood Insurance Rate Maps (DFIRM): The Digital Flood Insurance Rate Map (DFIRM) product involves converting the existing inventory of manually produced Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) to digital format. The new digital product will be able to address maintenance needs as well as restudy needs. The DFIRM product will be designed to allow for the creation of interactive, multi-hazard digital maps. Linkages will be built into a database to allow users options to access the engineering back-up material used to develop the map (e.g., H & H models, flood profiles, floodway data table, Digital Elevation Models (DEMs), and structure-specific data, such as digital elevation certificates and digital photographs of bridges and culverts. DFIRM maps are not yet available. To learn more, visit the DFIRM home page at www.fema.gov/mit/tsd/dfm_dfhm.htm. To read a recent "Work in Progress" update that discusses the DFIRM product as well as it's revisions, features, and options, visit www.fema.gov/mit/tsd/mm_wip3f.htm.

Digital Q3 Flood Data AND Coastal Barrier Resource Area (CBRA) Q3:

USING MAP INTERFACE: To purchase data, go to web1.msc.fema.gov/webapp/commerce/command/ExecMacro/MSC/macros/welcome.d2w/report. To use a map to view available data and select areas, click on "Map Search" on the top toolbar.

Once the window opens, in the "Select a Product" area, use the drop-down menu to select "Digital Flood Data - Q3" or "Digital Flood Data - Q3CBRA." Use the zoom and pan tools to view the area of interest. Then use the point and box tools to either click inside the desired area or draw a box around the desired area. The selected data will be shown in the map window as selected (yellow) and the data will be listed on the Map Search Results page, most likely the original, non-map web page that is already open. The CD(s) can then be selected and added to your cart for purchase.

SELECTING DATA VIA DROP-DOWN MENUS: To select data by state, county, or parish, go to web1.msc.fema.gov/webapp/commerce/command/ExecMacro/MSC/macros/welcome.d2w/report and select "Catalog" and then click on "Q3 Digital Flood Data and Coastal Barrier Resource Area (CBRA) Q3 Data." Once the location is selected, a link reading something like "Find Q3 Digital Flood Data and Coastal Barrier Resource Area (CBRA) Q3 Data!" will take you to the Q3 data and CBRS data available for purchase. The data of interest can then be added to your cart for purchase.

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