Quick answer: If you have a federally backed mortgage on a home in the Natomas Basin, you still need flood insurance in 2026. Reclamation District 1000 (RD1000), the agency that runs the basin’s levees and pumps, says the requirement stays in place because the levee improvements aren’t finished (RD1000). Once the work is done and FEMA recognizes it, the mandate is expected to go away. Until then, plan on carrying a flood policy.
If you own a home in Natomas, or you’re about to buy one, flood insurance is probably the line on your closing papers that made you stop and ask, “Wait, why?” It’s a fair question. You can’t see a river from most Natomas streets. But the whole basin sits below the levees that surround it, and that’s what drives the requirement.
This guide explains why Natomas homes need flood insurance, what the A99 flood zone means, how far along the levee project is, what coverage costs and covers, and what to do now.
⚠️ Scope note: This guide is general information for owner-occupied homes in the Natomas Basin of Sacramento. It isn’t legal or financial advice, and it doesn’t cover commercial buildings or new-construction permitting in detail. Flood zones are set parcel by parcel and can change. Check your address on the FEMA Flood Map Service Center and confirm coverage with a licensed California insurance agent.
Do you need flood insurance in Natomas?
Yes, if you have a federally backed mortgage. RD1000 states that “property owners in the Natomas Basin who have a federally-backed mortgage will still need flood insurance as the levee improvements are not complete” (RD1000). Most conventional, FHA, VA, and USDA loans count as federally backed.
If you own your home outright, flood insurance isn’t legally required. But RD1000 also notes that “the entire Natomas Basin is considered a floodplain,” which means every home there carries some flood risk (RD1000).
Here’s the part that catches people off guard: your homeowners policy won’t help. Standard homeowners insurance doesn’t cover flood damage, including water from a levee failure (City of Sacramento). Without a separate flood policy, you’d pay for flood repairs yourself.
| Your situation | Is flood insurance required? | What we’d suggest |
| Federally backed mortgage (conventional, FHA, VA, USDA) | Yes, while Natomas remains a high-risk flood zone | Keep the policy active; a lapse can trigger lender-placed coverage |
| Private or portfolio loan | Set by your lender | Ask your lender in writing |
| No mortgage | No | Price a policy anyway; the basin is a floodplain |
| Renter | No | Consider contents-only flood coverage |
What is the A99 flood zone in Natomas?
Zone A99 is a FEMA high-risk flood zone for areas that will be protected by a levee system that’s still under construction. FEMA mapped the Natomas Basin as Zone A99 effective June 16, 2015 (Sacramento City Express).
That designation mattered. It lifted a seven-year building moratorium in the basin and let construction resume, because FEMA recognized the levee project was making real progress (Sacramento City Express). But A99 is still part of the Special Flood Hazard Area, so the federal flood insurance requirement stayed in place.
| FEMA zone | What it means | Flood insurance with a federally backed mortgage? |
| Zone AE | High risk, with a mapped base flood elevation | Required |
| Zone A99 (Natomas) | High risk, protected by a levee system that’s still being completed | Required |
| Zone X (shaded) | Moderate risk, often behind accredited levees | Not required, but recommended |
| Zone X (unshaded) | Lower risk | Not required |
The A99 label also carries building rules. Since July 1, 2024, new homes and substantial improvements in the Natomas A99 zone must put the lowest floor at least one foot above the drainage system’s 100-year water level, plus an extra 18 inches above the nearest overland release point, certified by a licensed professional (Mercedeh Sheik Real Estate).
When will the Natomas flood insurance requirement end?
Not until the levee work is finished, certified, and accepted by FEMA through a map revision. A local guide to the A99 rules puts it plainly: remapping only happens after “levee completion, certification, and FEMA acceptance” (Mercedeh Sheik Real Estate).
The payoff could be real. In 2023, RD1000’s Kevin King said that once FEMA recertifies the levees, “mandatory flood insurance would no longer be required for the residents in Natomas,” and CBS Sacramento reported that could save households $1,400 or more a year (CBS Sacramento). At that time, recertification was targeted for 2025. As of this writing, RD1000 still says the requirement applies (RD1000).
You’ll see some online sources claim Natomas has already been remapped to Zone X. Don’t rely on that. Check your own parcel on FEMA’s map before you drop coverage or assume your lender will.
How far along is the Natomas levee project?
Most of the basin’s levee work is done, but a few major pieces were still scheduled for 2025 and 2026. The goal is to give the Natomas Basin at least 200-year flood protection (RD1000).
The project is a partnership between the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Sacramento Area Flood Control Agency (SAFCA), RD1000, and the Central Valley Flood Protection Board. Congress fully authorized it in the 2014 Water Resources Reform and Development Act (RD1000). CBS Sacramento described it as a $1.5 billion federal project along the basin’s 42-mile levee system, adding seepage barriers, setback levees, and berms (CBS Sacramento).
RD1000’s July 2024 status update reported (RD1000):
| Project segment | Status (July 2024) |
| Reaches B and H | 99% complete, awaiting as-built documents |
| Reach D | Substantially complete; Pumping Plant 4 rebuild ongoing |
| Reach I | Cutoff wall finished; final work underway |
| Reaches F and G | Contract award in 2024; construction planned for 2025–2026 |
| Pumping Plant 5 replacement | Design under contract; construction targeted for 2025 |
For the latest, check RD1000’s levee project page and SAFCA.
How much does flood insurance cost in Natomas?
It depends on your home, not just your zip code. The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) prices policies under Risk Rating 2.0, which rates each building on its own features instead of only its flood zone (City of Sacramento).
For A99 areas, rates are generally aligned with the standard rates expected after the levee project is complete, with differences based on building details (Mercedeh Sheik Real Estate). The $1,400-a-year savings estimate from CBS Sacramento gives you a sense of what many Natomas households pay now (CBS Sacramento).
What moves your price:
- Elevation of your lowest floor compared with expected flood levels
- Building type and foundation, such as slab versus raised
- Replacement cost of the home
- Coverage amounts and deductible you choose
- Distance to the levees and rivers
The only way to know your number is to get a quote for your exact address.
What does NFIP flood insurance cover?
An NFIP homeowners policy covers up to $250,000 for the building and up to $100,000 for contents (FEMA NFIP toolkit). Building and contents are separate coverages, so add contents if you want your belongings protected.
| Coverage | NFIP limit | What it pays for |
| Building | Up to $250,000 | Structure, foundation, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, built-in appliances |
| Contents | Up to $100,000 | Furniture, clothing, electronics, portable appliances |
| Above the limits | Not covered by NFIP | Private excess flood insurance can add more |
Those limits matter in Natomas, where many newer homes would cost more than $250,000 to rebuild. If yours would, ask your agent about private flood insurance or an excess flood policy on top of the NFIP limit.
Flood claims aren’t small. From 2020 to 2024, NFIP claims averaged $63,691, with a median of $20,272 (FEMA NFIP toolkit).
How do you buy flood insurance in Natomas?
Start with your address, then get an NFIP quote and a private quote to compare.
- Look up your flood zone on the FEMA Flood Map Service Center — this confirms whether your lender will require coverage.
- Get an elevation certificate if you have one — it can lower your rate; ask your seller, builder, or the City if one is on file.
- Ask your homeowners agent for an NFIP quote — most agents can write NFIP policies, or call the NFIP at 800-427-4661 (City of Sacramento).
- Compare a private flood quote — private carriers may offer higher limits, especially for homes worth more than $250,000 to rebuild.
- Add contents coverage — it’s a separate limit on NFIP policies.
- Buy early — most NFIP policies take 30 days to start, so don’t wait for a storm forecast (FEMA NFIP toolkit).
Should you keep flood insurance after the requirement ends?
Yes, it’s worth keeping. When Natomas is eventually remapped, flood insurance will become optional, but the basin will still be a floodplain protected by levees (RD1000). The City of Sacramento warns that levees can still be overtopped or fail in severe winter storms (City of Sacramento).
FEMA’s data backs that up. From 2014 to 2024, almost one-third of NFIP claims came from areas outside mapped high-risk flood zones (FEMA NFIP toolkit). When the mandate lifts, ask your agent how your rate changes rather than canceling outright.
Natomas flood insurance FAQ
Question: Is flood insurance required in Natomas in 2026?
Answer: Yes, for homes with a federally backed mortgage. RD1000 says the requirement stays because the levee improvements aren’t complete (RD1000).
Question: What flood zone is Natomas in?
Answer: The Natomas Basin has been mapped as FEMA Zone A99 since June 16, 2015. A99 is a high-risk zone for areas protected by a levee system still under construction (Sacramento City Express). Confirm your parcel on FEMA’s map.
Question: Does homeowners insurance cover a levee break in Natomas?
Answer: No. Water from a levee failure is a flood, and standard homeowners policies exclude flood. You need a separate flood policy (City of Sacramento).
Question: How much could I save when the requirement ends?
Answer: RD1000 officials told CBS Sacramento in 2023 that ending the mandate could save Natomas households $1,400 or more a year (CBS Sacramento). Your savings depend on your current premium.
Question: Is NFIP coverage enough for a Natomas home?
Answer: Maybe not. NFIP caps building coverage at $250,000 and contents at $100,000 (FEMA NFIP toolkit). If your home would cost more to rebuild, ask about private or excess flood coverage.
About the author
Brandon Erickson | IVMG LLC
With 7 years of experience writing insurance content, I specialize in creating clear, informative, and engaging articles that help consumers better understand auto, home, and other types of insurance. My writing focuses on answering real customer questions, simplifying complex insurance topics, and creating useful content that performs well in search engines while providing genuine value to readers.
Last updated: October 2026 | Next review: Monthly (levee status and flood maps can change)