FEMA Updates Flood Maps in Pima County

Tucson, AZ - The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has delivered preliminary flood maps for Pima County; the Towns of Marana, Oro Valley, and Sahuarita; and the City of Tucson, Arizona. The maps identify revised flood hazards within the Oro Valley - La Cholla Wash, Lomas De Oro Wash, Mutterer Wash, Rooney Wash, Pusch Wash; Santa Cruz River (Upper/Southern); Bear Creek, Sabino Creek; and Cienega Creek and Tributaries. The new maps will help building officials, contractors and homeowners make effective mitigation decisions, thereby contributing to safer and more disaster resilient communities.

Before the new Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) become effective, there is a 90-day appeal period from January 29, 2026 to April 29, 2026. During that time, residents or businesses with supporting technical and scientific information, such as detailed hydraulic or hydrologic data, can appeal the flood risk information on the preliminary maps, which can be viewed at fema.gov/preliminaryfloodhazarddata.

Flood hazards are dynamic and change frequently for many reasons, including weather patterns, erosion and community development. Officials from FEMA and Pima County worked together to provide updated information that accurately reflects the flood risk. These changes may also affect future building standards or insurance requirements.

The local mapping project is part of a national effort led by FEMA to increase local knowledge of flood risks and support actions to address and reduce the effects of flooding on new and improved structures. FEMA encourages residents to review the preliminary flood maps to learn about local flood risks, potential future flood insurance requirements and identify any concerns or questions about the information provided.

Risk of flooding affects almost every corner of the nation. In total, 98% of counties have experienced a flood event, which makes floods the most common and widespread of all weather-related natural disasters.

For more information, contact Flood Control District at Pima County at (520) 724-4600 or https://pima-flood-control.app.transform.civicplus.com/forms/32953.

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