City of West Sacramento
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Due to new, stricter standards imposed by the state and federal government, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is in the process of re-evaluating current Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs), which show the level of protection provided by all existing risk-reduction systems, in the country. Concurrently, the City of West Sacramento and the West Sacramento Area Flood Control Agency are working to build and strengthen in place levees to achieve 200-year flood protection for the West Sacramento community by 2025.
The City’s FIRM shows the vast majority of West Sacramento mapped in areas designated as Flood Zone X. In Flood Zone X there is not a statutory requirement for flood insurance. New construction and expansion of existing structures are allowed without being subject to onerous elevation and flood-proofing requirements.
If the planned levee improvements are not completed before West Sacramento is remapped, portions or all of West Sacramento's FIRM could be changed from Flood Zone X to something called a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA). Properties in a SFHA are required to have and maintain flood insurance. Additionally, new construction and major renovations of properties in a SFHA are required to be elevated and flood-proofed, which would likely severely limit property enhancement and greatly diminishing West Sacramento's economic development.
The City of West Sacramento participates in FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). This allows residents and property owners in the city to purchase federally subsidized flood insurance. Currently, Flood insurance is not mandatory, but West Sacramento strongly recommends that all property owners purchase and maintain flood insurance at all times. Typically, flooding is NOT covered under your home or business owner's insurance policy. Please reach out to your insurance provider to confirm whether or not your insurance policy covers flood damage. Flood insurance may be purchased separately. Typically, there is a 30-day waiting period from the date of purchase before your policy goes into effect.
Homeowners Insurance does not cover flooding
Don't think you need flood insurance, click here to see the reasons why FEMA thinks you do.
Remember - high water in the river isn't the only cause of flooding. Just a few inches of water from a rainstorm or a broken water main can cause thousands of dollars of damage.
Read More About FEMA's Re-Mapping and Flood Designations
For more information on the National Flood Insurance Program, visit Floodsmart.gov or view information about living near a levee view information about living near a levee.