Sacramento Flood Map 2020

Flood mapping (including flood insurance rate map, flood hazard map and historic flood map) is the procedure through which areas exposed to the risk of floods are chalked out on a map.

Flood maps in U.S.A are maintained and updated by the “Federal Emergency Management Agency” (FEMA). Similar to other areas, Sacramento flood map is available at their site but in order to comprehend and gain detailed flood information from the map, you need to understand the few terms which would help you use the map effectively.

This article will discuss all the relevant terms and definitions related to flood mapping including the elaborative presentation of Sacramento Flood Map encompassing West Sacramento, South Sacramento and Natomas.

Why Flood Mapping Is Important?

Flood mapping is an important tool for combating deleterious effects of flood and to take future preventive measures for management in the times of flood. The information gained through flood mapping is vital for rescue operations and assessment of flood hazards associated with a particular area. If you have additional questions feel free to visit our flood insurance page or call in and speak to one of our agents.

Types of Flood Mapping

Flood mapping is done to observe the flooded region which can include following types of mapping

Flood Insurance Rate Map

“Federal Emergency Management Agency” (FEMA) has chalked out various official maps of the communities within the U.S. which explicitly explains areas of hazards and risk zones for floods called Flood Insurance Rate Map commonly termed as FIRM.

Application of Flood Insurance Rate Maps

The data gathered through FIRM is utilized for the floodplain administration, mitigation and further for activities of insurance for the umbrella program of NPIF (“National Flood Insurance Program”). The data on the FIRM can be detected in a format that supports the digital technologies and helps the institutions for disaster management through “National Flood Hazard Layer” (NFHL). This database is, however, acting as a subset for the study and utility of insurance in the regions called Flood Insurance Studies (FIS). Basically, the databases of NHFL comprises of digital formats of Flood Insurance Rate Maps (DFIRM) which are available in the published form from FEMA.

Zone Classifications in FIRM

The FIRM by FEMA classifies various regions based on the risk of flooding in a particular area. The classification system follows the basic categories of 1% flood chance annually, 0.2% flood chance annually and the areas with minimal risk of flood. The base flood which is termed as 1% flood chance annually is considered heavily risky. The following zones can be identified based on the classifications in the FEMA flood maps

Moderate and Low-Risk Areas

If you look at the FIRM, you can identify these zones with shaded B and X areas which comes under the flood limits of 100 and 500 years. These flooding areas are shallows with the average depth being less than one foot.

It also includes the areas with unshaded C and X which are typically the areas beyond the 500 years level.

In moderate and low-risk areas, the flood insurance is provided to owners of the properties and renters in the given areas.

High-Risk Areas

The areas which are marked as high risk are shown on the FIRM with zones A, AE, A1-30, AH, AO, AR, and A99. With certain differences in average depth and evaluations of the base flood, these areas represent the annual 1% flooding chance.

According to the National Flood Insurance Program, all the communities falling under the high-risk zones need to have mandatory flood insurance applying to every zone mentioned.

High-Risk Coastal Areas

The coastal areas that are considered high risk are represented by the zones V, VE, V1-30. These areas are marked with an annual 1% flooding chance but with additional dangers and hazards associated with the storm waves.

The communities participating in the National Flood Insurance Program in these areas need to have mandatory flood insurance for every individual.

Undetermined Risk Areas

These areas are marked by the zone D and indicate the possible risks of the flood that are not yet determined. There is no detailed analysis available on the possible associated hazards and therefore the flood insurance for these areas also correspond to the accompanying uncertainties.

Historical Flood Maps

Since the FIRMs are updating, historic flood maps are stored as the digital FIRM images previously effective and now been superseded by the new ones. The historical Flood maps are important for the management of floodplain and also keeping the track of ratings of flood insurance. These maps are usually obtained by the satellite or aerial images and therefore are more accurate and reliable for future risk management.

Sacramento Flood Mapping

The FEMA’s Flood Insurance Rate Maps for Sacramento indicates the areas of the Sacramento city which qualify for PRP i.e. Preferred Risk Flood Insurance and those that come under the SFHA i.e. Special Flood Hazard Areas and requires the standard form of flood insurance.

Evacuation and Flood Depth Map of Sacramento

The Sacramento city has elaborative maps representing the hypothetical breaks in levees for an event of 200-year floods. These flood maps vividly indicate the levels of flooding and inundation along with the duration in which the water levels are expected to elevate in the affected regions. The map also outlines the rescue zones and evacuation areas in Sacramento after a week gone without any sort of mitigation in the area.

The Sacramento city flood protection highly relies on the levees, therefore, the residents are advised to keep in mind their possible evacuation routes in case of an emergency due to a levee break. The routes are however subject to change depending on the location of levee break.

West Sacramento Flood Map

Currently, West Sacramento falls under zone X in the Flood Insurance Rate Map. Therefore, there is no mandatory obligation for flood insurance in the area. But, FEMA is considering to change the Sacramento designation from zone X to a special “Flood Hazard Area”. The owners of property in Sacramento are not yet subjected to take extra pre-requisites for flood-proofing but with the alteration in the designation, they would require to do so.

Flood Insurance in West Sacramento

Since West Sacramento participates in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), the property owners in the area and the local residents are allowed to purchase flood insurance which is federally subsidized. Currently, it is not mandatory to obtain flood insurance in West Sacramento but it is still highly recommended that residents and owners separately acquire and maintain flood insurance.

Natomas Remapping Floodplain Update

Remapping of Natomas has resulted in the change of the designation for the community which is effective from 16 June 2015. According to the remapping, Natomas has acquired the designation of A99 zone.

FEMA in 2005 made sure that the levees in the Natomas area are up to the standardizations provided by the federal bodies. The levee should meet the standards required for the damage protection for a 1% annual chance of flooding. US Army engineer corps re-evaluated the Natomas current protective factors and altered the designation of Natomas Basin region to AE flood zone in 2008. The new designation requires the structures in the area to be made flood-proof at 100-year or above the floodplain, which can be approximately 20 feet in some regions. A-99, however, is a designation that is considered a zone of high risk but gives permission of construction activities under certain conditions i.e. it is regarded as an interim designation.

Flood Insurance for Natomas Sacramento

Since the improvements for the levees are not totally ready, the owners of the property in the area of Natomas Basin would require flood insurance if they have a mortgage which is federally backed. PRP i.e. “Preferred Risk Policy” would be available to most of the property owners due to the status of A-99 of Natomas Basin.

The rates of flood in the areas designated as A-99 are currently showing significant elevation than rates of “Preferred Risk Policy”. Thus, it is highly recommended that the owners of property consult about their insurance needs through the agent or by the flood insurance quote.

South Sacramento Remap Floodplain

From May 2014, FEMA remapped most properties in the South Sacramento for the altered floodplain. The change in the designation of the floodplain allows some businesses and individuals to be eligible for the PRP i.e. Preferred-Risk Flood Insurance as they are removed from the
“Special Flood Hazard Area”.

Flood Insurance for South Sacramento

The low-cost PRPs can be obtained by South Sacramento Residents which costs $365 approximately per anum and includes the structure (up to $250,000) and content (up to $100,000). In order to change the insurance policy to PRP, residents require a FIRM copy by FEMA along with the copy of LOMR.

It is advisable that residents of Sacramento look for every new update regarding FEMA policies and resulting FIRMs for their area. If you need help locally reach out to our Sacramento office and we’ll answer all your questions.