Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMS)

In October 2015, the St. Charles County Council amended the County's floodplain development ordinance to begin using 2016 Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) and studies in place of earlier ones previously in effect for unincorporated St. Charles County, Missouri.

With over 40% of St. Charles County classified as flood-prone land, St. Charles County’s floodplain development ordinance is critical to protect life and property, reduce disaster impacts and qualify for Federal disaster assistance, and allow County property owners to participate in the National Flood Insurance Program. The County’s participation in this national program since September 1978 has allowed property owners to purchase private flood insurance when required for their federally backed mortgages. To participate, jurisdictions like St. Charles County are required to use flood insurance rate maps prepared by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The 2016 FIRMs are greatly enhanced and depict flood zones with much greater accuracy than maps from 1996 and 2003 previously in effect. FEMA's process to develop these maps included a public review period in 2009, and FEMA incorporated the County's official comments in the 2016 maps. For questions concerning how the 2016 maps might affect your property insurance rates, please contact your insurance agent.

To View Effective Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMS)

A total of 69 FIRMS and three flood insurance study (FIS) reports cover St. Charles County. View either the effective or previous flood maps for any particular address or location, using FEMA’s Flood Map Service Center online. Flood zone information can also be viewed and mapped by using the County's GIS portal. Additionally, paper copies of FIRMs can be reviewed in St. Charles County's Planning & Zoning Division office. Additional information can also be obtained from the following websites: