Coastal Floodplain Mapping, Regulations and Resiliency Resources

Information and resources about coastal floodplain mapping, regulations and resiliency.

FEMA Non-Regulatory Coastal Maps and Reports for New Hampshire

• Rockingham County Coastal Erosion Hazard Map and Study (2016)
  • Fact Sheet
  • Map
  • Report
  • Protect Your Property from Coastal Erosion
• Rockingham and Strafford Counties Flood Risk Map, Report, and Database (2016)
  • FEMA Flood Risk Products – Driving Data –Informed Decisions for Community Resilience (Story Map)
  • Using FEMA’s Flood Risk Products to Improve Community Resilience – Pennsylvania Case Study (Story Map)
  • How to View Flood Risk Products

Coastal Floodplain Mapping Resources

• Mapping Viewers
  • NH Flood Hazards Viewer
  • NH Coastal Viewer  (interactive online coastal mapping tool)
• Mapping Resources
  • An Introduction to FEMA Coastal Floodplain Mapping
  • Using Coastal Flood Maps for Floodplain Management Tutorials  (click on Tutorials tab at top of page on how to identify the BFE for a structure in Zones AE, AO, and VE)

Coastal Floodplain Management Regulations

• The NH State Building Code (effective July 1, 2022) references the International Building Code 2018 and International Residential Code 2018, which both include requirements for development occurring in Special Flood Hazard Areas, some of which exceed minimum NFIP requirements most especially in coastal areas. FEMA has a list of Building Code Resources that provide information concerning the flood resistant provisions of the 2018 International Code Series®, highlights of American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) 24-14, and the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) requirements.
• See Technical Information and Guidance for further guidance about coastal regulations
• ASFPM No Adverse Impact in the Coastal Zone (May 2007)

New Hampshire and Maine Coastal Flood Resiliency Resources and Guidance

• NH Coastal Adaptation Workgroup
• NH Coastal Flood Risk Summary (RSA 483-B:22)
  • 2019 NH Coastal Flood Risk Summary – Part I: Science and Part II: Guidance for Using Scientific Projections
  • 2014 NH Sea Level Rise, Storm Surge, and Extreme Precipitation: Analysis of Past and Projected Future Trends
• NH Coastal Risks and Hazards Commission
  • Preparing NH for Projected Storm Surge, Sea-Level Rise, and Extreme Precipitation – Final Report and Recommendations (November 2016)
  • NH Department of Environmental Services - Coastal Hazards and Adaptation
• Maine Guidance for Coastal Resilience: Model Ordinance Language for Maine Municipalities (2022)
• Maine Flood Resilience Checklist  - Maine Geological Survey (2017)
  • Maine Flood Resilience Checklist  - A self-assessment tool for Maine’s coastal communities to evaluate vulnerability to flood hazards and increase resilience