A FEMA FIRM panel number identifies the mapped community or county, the map panel, and its published revision suffix. Enter an address to see the panel number and effective date returned for that location.
How to read a FIRM panel number
A Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) number combines an identifier for a community or countywide map area, a panel number, and a letter suffix. The suffix tracks a published edition of that panel; different panels in the same map project can have different suffixes if they were updated at different times. See FEMA's FIRM Graphics Guidance.
What the effective date means
The effective date is the date FEMA's FIRM panel first became effective. FEMA labels a later revision date as "Map Revised." A displayed date helps identify the map edition associated with the result; it does not certify a property's flood zone.
When FEMA lists a paper panel
Some locations may have no digital map in the data checked by this lookup. In that case, the result may identify a paper panel and its effective date. Use FEMA's Map Service Center to search the address and review the available map products for the location.
How to view or download the panel
Open FEMA's Map Service Center and search by street address. Search results can show the map and panel number with its effective date, and may offer a printable FIRMette or a full panel download. Check the result's available products and any listed map changes.
This lookup is informational and is not a certified flood zone determination or a Standard Flood Hazard Determination. For lending, insurance, or legal decisions, use the official determination process.
Last updated: 2026-11-08
Sources: FEMA FIRM Graphics Guidance; FEMA IS-273 course lesson.