Flood Preparedness
According to the California Department of Water Resources, catastrophic flooding can happen even in the middle of a drought, so we must "be aware, be prepared, and take action"!
Prepare your family and property for flooding by learning about what to do before, during, and after a flood: Know Your Flood Hazard Insure Your Property Protect People from the Hazard Protect Your Community from the Hazard Build Responsibly Protect Natural Floodplain Function
(Alhambra Creek Flooding, 1950-1951)
Know Your Flood Hazard
Your property is subject to flooding and FEMA has created flood hazard maps to show different degrees of risk of flooding by outlining different flood risk areas. Visit the FEMA Map Service Center to find flood hazard information; you can enter your address directly.
Public Works staff can determine your flood zone determination using available Assessor's Parcel Map, County base maps, FEMA information, and other documents or maps. The fee for this written determination is $50 per parcel. If a site visit is warranted, there will be an additional $250 fee.
See below for additional information on knowing your flood risk:
- Department of Water Resources 2016 Flood Risk Notice (PDF)
- National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) "Know Your Risk (PDF)"
- County Flood Zone Determination Form (PDF)
Insure Your Property
Your standard homeowners' insurance does not cover flood damage. You can lessen the financial consequences of a flood by obtaining flood insurance. Find an insurance agent near you through FloodSmart.gov (National Flood Insurance Program).
See below for additional information on flood insurance:
- National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP)
- Top 10 Facts Every Consumer Needs to Know about the NFIP (PDF)
- Your Homeowners Insurance Doesn't Cover Floods (PDF) (Spanish version) (PDF)
- Why You Need Flood Insurance (PDF) (Spanish version (PDF))
- Benefits of Flood Insurance v.s. Disaster Assistance (PDF)
- Flood Insurance Requirements for Recipients of Federal Disaster Assistance (PDF)
- Myths and facts about the NFIP
- WYO Companies Actively Writing Flood Insurance 2017-2018 (PDF)
- Preferred Risk Policy (PDF) (Spanish version) (PDF)
- Flood Insurance Claims Handbook (PDF) (Spanish version) (PDF)
- Condominium Coverage (PDF)
- Increased Cost of Compliance Coverage (PDF)
- Protect Your New Home - What to Ask Your Insurance Agent (PDF)
For Real Estate Professionals/Insurance Agents:
- Top 10 Facts Every Agent Needs to Know about the NFIP (PDF)
- Questions & Answers about Flood Insurance for Real Estate Professionals (PDF)
- Real Estate Fact Sheet - Help Protect Your Customer's New Home (PDF)
Protect People from the Hazard
Stay Out, Stay Alive!
Flood control channels are part of our community's infrastructure. They are designed to drain stormwater from our communities swiftly to prevent flooding, and should not be used for recreation. Be aware of fast-moving stormwaters in our channels and creeks.
Visit the Contra Costa County Flood Control and Water Conservation District's webpage on the Creek and Channel Safety Awareness Program for additional information.
Know Your Flood Warning Signs
If flooding occurs, the County will warn residents through radio, TV announcements, and emergency officials and vehicles. Please know the flood warning procedures and plan escapes to higher ground.
The Office of Emergency Services has useful information, such as the Local Multi-Jurisdictional Local Hazard Mitigation Plan, Emergency Operations Plan, and Community Warning System.
See below for additional information on protecting yourself and your family from flood hazards:
- Flood Preparation and Safety (PDF) (Spanish version (PDF))
- How to prepare for a flood (PDF) (Spanish version (PDF))
- Know your alerts and warnings (PDF) (Spanish version (PDF))
- Prepare for emergencies now (PDF) (Spanish version (PDF))
- Create your family communication plan (PDF) (Spanish version (PDF))
- Preparing with people with disabilities and other needs (PDF) (Spanish version (PDF))
- Preparing with seniors (PDF) (Spanish version (PDF))
- Preparing with pets (PDF) (Spanish version (PDF))
Protect Your Property
Along with preparing yourself and your family for a flood, safeguard your property (e.g., home, business, and possessions). Keep debris and trash out of streams, ditches, and drain inlets. These convey stormwater from our community to the bay, delta, and sea. There are flood-proofing improvements that can be done to your structure that may reduce damage caused by flooding. Consider elevating the building using flood-resistant materials, or performing simpler improvements, such as replacing your flooded furnace with one elevated above the flood level.
See below for additional information on ways to protect your property:
- Protecting critical documents and valuables (PDF) (Spanish version (PDF))
- Fight flooding at home (PDF)
- Homeowner's Guide to Retrofitting: Six Ways to Protect Your Home from Flooding (PDF)
- Protecting Building Utilities from Flood Damage (PDF)
- Reducing Flood Risk to Residential Buildings that Cannot Be Elevated (PDF)
- Wet Flood-proofing Requirements for Structures Located in Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHA) (PDF)
Build Responsibly
Get a building permit from our Application and Permit Center before your build. A Floodplain Permit is required if you are constructing within the FEMA designated SFHA. Improvements within the floodplain has the potential to impact flood levels, your property, and your structure.
For new and redeveloped development, Provision C.3 of our Municipal Regional Permit (MRP) requires the site design to minimize the impervious surface areas and encourages pervious surfaces where feasible for infiltration to underlying soil. Runoff from impervious surface areas must be captured and treated before discharging. The Stormwater C.3 Guidebook will assist applicants through the process of submittals and review. Visit the County Watershed Program and the Contra Costa County Clean Water websites for additional information.
See below for additional information on building responsibly:
- Engineering Principles and Practices (PDF)
- Above the Flood: Elevating Your Floodprone House (PDF)
- Build Back Safer and Stronger: What You Need to Know (PDF) (Spanish version (PDF))
- Flood Damage-Resistant Materials Requirements (PDF)
- Contra Costa Clean Water Program - Stormwater C.3 Guidebook
- Contra Costa Clean Water Program - Stormwater Control Plan Template
Protect Natural Floodplain Functions
Don't dump in the storm drains; they drain to our bay or delta. Ensure that RAIN [GOES] DOWN the DRAIN.
The storm drain inlets do not route water to a treatment facility. Stormwater flow untreated to the bay or delta. If you need to place storm drain markers on your drain inlet to remind people of this fact, makers are sold at the Public Works Department located at 255 Glacier Drive in Martinez.
Visit or contact our County Watershed Program for more information on compliance with our National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Municipal Regional Permit (MRP).
Natural floodplains are resources that may contain rare and endangered plants and animals, and they are of historical significance, as well. See below for additional information on natural floodplains and our watershed (County's public education and outreach information).
- Floodplain Natural Resources and Functions (PDF)
- The Natural and Beneficial Functions of Floodplains (PDF)
- County Watershed Program - Public Education Outreach
- County Watershed Forum Website