Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRM) are determining factors for the United States' federally subsidized National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Not only do these maps determine insurance premiums for the NFIP, but they provide localities insights on how to best manage flood risk and develop more sustainable communities. The NFIP has been experiencing increasing scrutiny from the public due to several complicated and interdependent factors including its financially insolvent insurance structure and out of date and inaccurate floodplain maps. FIRM accuracy and adoption are key factors to address when assessing the current state of the NFIP and understanding how the program can better provide for its policyholders and effectively utilize its appropriated funds. In order to build further understanding on the challenge of out of date FIRM information, the objective of this thesis is to investigate the disparities in flood insurance rate map adoption. The questions guiding this research are: Do disparities exist in FIRM adoption? If so, how? Chapter 2 presents a case study comparing the FIRM adoption processes of two communities both heavily impacted by severe flooding: New Hanover County, NC and Horry County, SC. Additionally, Chapter 4 raises ethical questions about FIRM and NFIP structures and investigates the intentions and outcomes of the program through various normative frameworks. Finally, Chapter 5 summarizes outcomes and pathways for future research. This research is valuable because if we can better understand where and why FIRM adoption is lagging, we can better reveal what communities are truly vulnerable from flooding risks.