FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs)

The information on this webpage relates to the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs). These maps show a community’s risk of flooding or more specifically, flood zones, floodplain boundaries, and base flood elevations. Because the risk of flooding changes over time, FEMA and the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) work with communities across the country to revise the FIRMs an ongoing basis.

The original FIRMs for Hingham date back to 1986 and have been revised multiple times. Information on the most recent revision is located at the top of this page, while the original FIRMs can be found at the bottom. FEMA's website "All About Flood Maps and Zones" provides additional information on their map products and revision process. Other helpful documents are located near the bottom of this page, under the heading "Additional Resources."

Preliminary, Revised Charles Watershed FIRMs Available

On June 19, 2020, FEMA released preliminary, revised FIRMs for the Charles Watershed, which encompasses the majority of Hingham. The original FIRMs, in effect since 2012, were revised based on new hydrologic and hydraulic analyses, or more precise topographic data. In areas where this information was not available, the current floodplain data was incorporated into the preliminary, revised FIRMs.

A statutory, 90-day appeal period was held from March 23, 2021 through June 21, 2021. The FIRMs were expected to be finalized in December 2021 or January 2022, however FEMA postponed the review process. On February 3, 2023, FEMA re-released the majority of the preliminary, revised FIRMs. Of the eleven affected map panels, nine have a revision date of February 3, 2023 and the remaining two have the original revision date of June 19, 2020.

All of Hingham's preliminary, revised FIRMs can be downloaded from FEMA’s Flood Map Service Center, under Preliminary Products. The affected Hingham map panels are: 25023C0038K, 25023C0081K, 25023C0082K, 25023C0083K, 25023C0084K, 25023C0091L, 25023C0092L, 25023C0101L, 25023C0102K, 25023C0103L, and 25023C0111L. Alternatively, the current and preliminary floodplain data can be compared using FEMA's newly developed a Flood Map Changes Viewer.

An additional statutory, 90-day appeal period for the re-released preliminary, revised Charles Watershed FIRMs began on July 5, 2023. Details on the appeal process are available in the FEMA Notice below. Owners or lessees of real property who believe their property rights will be adversely affected by the proposed flood hazard determinations may file an appeal with the Town, c/o Emily Wentworth, Community Planning Director, by email to Planning@Hingham-Ma.gov, in advance of the October 3, 2023 deadline. The appeal shall include supportive scientific or technical data. The Town will consolidate any appeals received and forward them to FEMA for review. A Letter of Final Determination is anticipated in December 2023 or January 2024. The Town is required to amend its local floodplain regulations, which are administered through the Hingham Zoning By-Law, within 6 months of issuance of the Final Determination in order to remain eligible to participate in the National Flood Insurance Program. 

A list of the previously issued Letter of Map Change (LOMC) actions, i.e. a Letter of Map Revision (LOMR), Letter of Map Revision based on Fill (LOMR-F), or Letter of Map Amendment (LOMA), that were either incorporated, not incorporated (pending further review), or superseded as part of the Charles Watershed Study is also available below.

  1. FEMA Notice of Appeal, dated June 21, 2023
  2. FEMA Appeals and Comments - Info for Property Owners (PDF)
  3. FEMA Appeals and Comments - Required Support Data and Documentation (PDF)
  4. Charles Watershed Summary of Map Actions (PDF)

LOMR, Effective January 21, 2022

On January 21, 2022, FEMA issued a third LOMR (sixth overall) related to the Limit of Moderate Wave Action (LiMWA) for Massachusetts. FEMA worked with the Massachusetts Flood Hazard Management Program Office and the Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management to revise the LiMWA based on updated coastal storm surge and wave modeling data from the most recent FEMA coastal Flood Insurance Study report for certain coastal communities.

Several Hingham FIRMs were affected (see below), however the LiMWA in Hingham was not revised. Other effective flood hazard information, including flood zones, flood elevations, and floodway delineations were also not revised.

Affected Map Panels
●  25023C0016J
●  25023C0017J
●  25023C0038J

LOMR Materials

  1. LOMR Effective 1-21-22 (PDF)

LOMR, Effective July 7, 2021

On July 7, 2021, FEMA issued a second LOMR (fifth overall) related to the Limit of Moderate Wave Action (LiMWA) for Massachusetts. This document reissued the September 8, 2017 LOMR to include additional information in the "Summary of Revision" section found on page 2. Hingham's effective flood information, including the LiMWA as of September 8, 2017, flood zones, flood elevations, and floodway delineations were not revised.

When referencing the September 8, 2017 LOMR or the July 7, 2021 LOMR, only the latter should be used, as it effectively supersedes the September 8, 2017 LOMR.

LOMR Materials

  1. LOMR Effective 7-7-21 (PDF)

Cape Cod Watershed FIRMs Finalized

On January 22, 2020, FEMA finalized the Hingham FIRMs within the Cape Cod Watershed based on new hydrologic and hydraulic analyses, or more precise topographic data. In areas where this information was not available, the current floodplain data was incorporated into the finalized FIRMs.

The finalized FIRMs were scheduled to become effective July 22, 2020, however in June 2020, FEMA rescinded the FIRMs primarily because of the COVID-19 pandemic and the ability of municipalities to hold Town Meetings, where applicable, and adopt the FIRMs in a timely fashion. FEMA reissued the FIRMs with no substantive changes on July 6, 2021.

The finalized FIRMs were also adopted as part of a Zoning By-Law amendment at the 2021 Annual Town Meeting (Article 27). The revised By-Law includes an updated Zoning Part B map, which depicts the updated flood zones and replaces the previous version of the map, and new language from a state issued model floodplain by-law that keeps the Town in compliance with the National Flood Insurance Program, thus making federal flood insurance available to residents.

The finalized FIRMs can be downloaded from FEMA’s Flood Map Service Center, under Effective Products. Hard copies of the finalized FIRMs are also available for review in the Conservation Office. The affected Hingham map panels are (each link will open the map panel in a new browser window): 25023C0091K, 25023C0092K, 25023C0101K, 25023C0103K, 25023C0104K, and 25023C0111K. The updated floodplain data is also available via the Town's GIS Map.

A list of the previously issued Letter of Map Change (LOMC) actions, i.e. a Letter of Map Revision (LOMR), Letter of Map Revision based on Fill (LOMR-F), or Letter of Map Amendment (LOMA), that have been revalidated as part of the Cape Cod Watershed Study is available below.
  1. FEMA 2021 Revalidation Letter for LOMCs (PDF)

LOMR, Effective January 24, 2018

On January 24, 2018, FEMA issued a second LOMR to the Town of Hull (fourth overall), related to the Limit of Moderate Wave Action (LiMWA). This document ensured that the LiMWA for Hull was consistent with the December 13, 2017 LOMR. Several Hingham FIRMs were updated and now indicate a LOMR effective date of January 24, 2018 (see below). Hingham's effective flood information, including the LiMWA as of September 8, 2017, flood zones, flood elevations, and floodway delineations were not revised.

Affected Map Panels
●  25023C0016J
●  25023C0017J
●  25023C0019J
●  25023C0038J

LOMR Materials

  1. LOMR Effective 1-24-18 (PDF)

LOMR, Effective December 13, 2017

On December 13, 2017, FEMA issued a third LOMR to the Town of Hull. Several Hingham FIRMs were updated and now indicate a LOMR effective date of December 13, 2017 (see below). No new coastal analysis was conducted in Hingham; only in Hull. Hingham's effective flood information, including flood zones, flood elevations, and floodway delineations were not revised.

Affected Map Panels
  • 25023C0016J
  • 25023C0017J
  • 25023C0019J
  • 25023C0038J

    • LOMR Materials

    1. LOMR Effective 12-13-17 (PDF)

    LOMR, Effective September 8, 2017

    On September 8, 2017, FEMA issued a second LOMR to update the Limit of Moderate Wave Action (LiMWA) for Massachusetts. FEMA worked with the Massachusetts Flood Hazard Management Program Office and the Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management to revise the LiMWA based on updated coastal storm surge and wave modeling data from the most recent FEMA coastal Flood Insurance Study report for coastal communities.

    Several Hingham FIRMs were affected (see below). No new coastal analysis was conducted; only the LiMWA was revised. Other effective flood hazard information, including flood zones, flood elevations, and floodway delineations were not revised. The updated LiMWA information is available via FEMA's Flood Map Service Center and the Town's GIS Map.

    Affected Map Panels
  • 25023C0016J
  • 25023C0017J
  • 25023C0018J
  • 25023C0019J
  • 25023C0038J
  • 25023C0081J
  • 25023C0082J

    • LOMR Materials

    1. LOMR Effective 9-8-17 (PDF)

    LOMR, Effective August 14, 2015

    On March 31, 2015, FEMA issued a Letter of Map Revision (LOMR) for certain coastal areas in Hingham. This LOMR was based on a Town-sponsored analysis, performed by GZA GeoEnvironmental, Inc., that resulted in changes to the 2012 FIRMs. Following a statutory, 90-day appeal period, during which no valid requests for additional changes were received by FEMA, the LOMR went into effect on August 14, 2015.

    These changes were also adopted as part of a Zoning By-Law amendment at the 2016 Annual Town Meeting (Articles 35 and 38). The revised By-Law includes an updated Zoning Part B map, which depicts the updated flood zones and replaces the previous version of the map, and new language explaining the purpose of the “Floodplain Protection Overlay District.”

    LOMR Materials

    1. Revised FIRM 25023C0018J, effective 8-14-15 (PDF)
    2. Revised FIRM 25023C0019J, effective 8-14-15 (PDF)
    3. Revised FIRM 25023C0038J, effective 8-14-15 (PDF)
    4. Revised FIRM 25023C0081J, effective 8-14-15 (PDF)
    5. Revised FIRM 25023C0082J, effective 8-14-15 (PDF)
    6. LOMR Effective 8-14-15 (PDF)
    7. Amended Flood Insurance Study Report (PDF)

    Additional Resources

    1. FEMA 2012 Revalidation Letter for LOMCs (PDF)
    2. Flood Insurance Rate Maps - Updated FAQs (PDF)
    3. How to Request a Map Amendment - FEMA Guide (PDF)
    4. Qualified Professionals for Elevation Certificates and LOMAs (PDF)
    5. Importance of LiMWA - FEMA Fact Sheet (PDF)
    6. About the Mandatory Purchase of Flood Insurance (PDF)
    7. NFIP April 2015 Changes - FEMA Fact Sheet (PDF)
    8. Risk Rating 2.0 is Equity in Action - FEMA (PDF)
    9. Massachusetts Risk Rating 2.0 - FEMA (PDF)

    1986 and 2012 FIRMs


    The 1986 and 2012 FIRMs are viewable by clicking on a map year and grid below, or by visiting FEMA’s Flood Map Service Center and reviewing the Historic Products and Effective Products, as applicable.

    Note: The 1986 FIRMs were replaced by the 2012 FIRMs and are intended to be used for reference only. Additionally, six of the 2012 FIRMs were replaced in 2021 (see information related to the Cape Cod Watershed FIRMs, above). Additional updates are pending for 11 FIRMs with 2012 and 2021 effective dates (see information related to the Charles Watershed FIRMs, above).

    Adobe Acrobat Reader

    Each FIRM is an Adobe PDF document that can be viewed by downloading the free Adobe Acrobat Reader application. Each map file is large in size (approx 10Mb). Once the map has opened in Adobe Acrobat Reader, you will have the ability to zoom in and out, pan around the page and print a copy by using Adobe Acrobat Reader's controls.

    Note: The Town of Hingham makes no warranty or guarantee of the accuracy of the maps nor assumes responsibility for any errors or inaccuracies in these maps. The Town also takes no responsibility for any decision(s) made or action(s) taken as a result of reliance on these maps. The use of these maps is at the users' own risk.
    1. 2012
    2. 1986
    Flood Plain 2012