I mean ...maybe you know something the AP doesn't but it's not an appeal in court, it's an appeal to a the federal agency to reconsider their decision. The article is substituting the word "appeal" in place of "Letter Requesting a Change to the Flood Insurance Rate Map." Is that not acceptable? The article discusses that it's not an easy process and quotes the Director of the Tx Floodplain Mgt Assoc.
"Property owners challenging FEMA’s map designations hire engineers to conduct detailed studies to show where they believe the 100-year flood plain should actually be drawn. That is a “pretty arduous process” that can lead to more accurate maps while making it easier for future construction, said Chris Steubing, executive director of the Texas Floodplain Management Association, an industry group that represents floodplain managers.
Pralle, who reviewed the amendments for AP, noted that some of the exempted properties were within 2 feet (0.6 meters) of FEMA’s flood plain by the camp’s revised calculations, which she said left almost no margin for error. She said her research shows that FEMA approves about 90% of map amendment requests, and the process may favor the wealthy and well-connected."