In anticipation of another brutal winter, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has released updated flood maps that will go into effect next March, and that will mean some additional Dorchester residents will have to buy flood insurance in the new year.

When properties fall within a FEMA-designated high-risk flood zone, owners with federally backed mortgages or loans are required by law to have flood insurance. The updated Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRM) “designate some residences in Dorchester as being in a flood zone,” according to the city. 

The 2016 maps display the areas of highest risk of flooding and are available online in their pending form. The sections of Dorchester facing the highest impact are Columbia Point, Savin Hill, Port Norfolk, and some areas along the Neponset River. 

Special Flood Hazard Areas, the zones in question, are flood plains adjoining an inland or coastal waterway “inundated by water during the 1 percent annual chance flood (100-year flood),” according to the city. To determine whether a home is in a hazardous area, residents can visit the FEMA website and receive printouts of the flood maps from the city.

FEMA and city officials will host an informational meeting for the public on Jan. 12 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Boston Teachers Union Hall at 180 Mt. Vernon Street on Columbia Point.

“The city is doing its absolute best to ensure that everyone who is affected by the FEMA FIRMs has the resources they need,” said Lauren Zingarelli, director of communications and community engagement with the Mayor’s Office of Environment, Energy, and Open Space.

Neighborhoods given notice on the new maps are: Dorchester , Charlestown, East Boston, South Boston, the North End, the West End, Downtown, and Fort Point.

In a press release, the city advised homeowners to keep emergency flood plans in mind, even if their properties fall outside the FEMA zones.

Flood maps are available on the FEMA maps services center. Residents can follow steps by the City of Boston to read their map at greenovateboston.org/read_fema_maps.