Updated flood insurance maps, made with LiDAR, laser radar or new computer programs, are increasingly important with global warming As the United States grows warmer and extreme weather more common, the federal government's flood insurance maps are becoming increasingly important. The maps, drawn by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, dictate the monthly premiums millions of American households pay for flood insurance. They are also designed to give homeowners and buyers the latest understanding of how likely their communities are to flood. The government's response to the rising need for accurate maps? It's slashed funding for them. Read more...