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SITE NAVIGATION

How to Prepare for Flood

Know Your Flood Hazard

How to Prepare for Flood

Know Your Flood Hazard

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The City of Sacramento is located in the heart of California’s Central Valley at the confluence of the Sacramento and American rivers.

The City is traversed by several stream systems and is at risk to both riverine flooding and localized stormwater flooding.

In the City of Sacramento, much of the flood damage occurs in the floodplains of the Sacramento River and the American River.

Six small tributaries of the Sacramento River pass through and provide drainage for the City of Sacramento.

These tributaries are:

Dry Creek
Magpie Creek
Arcade Creek
Morrison Creek
Elder Creek
Florin Creek
Unionhouse Creek
Laguna Creek

The City, like other urban areas, faces risks to life and property from many natural and man-made hazards, including: fire, earthquake, terrorism, toxic spills, wind, drought, wildfire, and flood.

Most notably, of all these risks, flooding poses the greatest threat to the residents of Sacramento.

You can call the City’s flood information hotline at 916-808-5061, or email floodinfo@cityofsacramento.org for details specific to your property.

Information such as your current flood zone, local floodplains, and basic flood preparedness tips can be provided.

Call 3-1-1 to report flooding.

Living by a levee

The majority of Sacramento is protected by dams and levees.

While these dams and levees provide us with excellent protection, they are still subject to failure and any property in the City remains at risk of flooding.

Tips for living near a levee:

Call 311 to report water seepage or suspicious activities along the levees. Increased community awareness and quicker response time is critical during flood events.
Do not dig, plant or build at the base of a levee.
During a flood event, pay close attention to your evacuation route.

Repetitive flooding

Over the past few decades, the Sacramento area has experienced significant, sometimes devastating, flooding.

There are areas throughout the city of Sacramento that may be subject to higher incidence of flooding.

These issues are mainly due to drainage during heavy storms.

If you have had repetitive flooding at your home consider some permanent flood protection measures.

Consider elevating your house above flood levels.
Check your building for water entry points.
These can be protected with low walls or temporary shields.
Install a floor drain plug, standpipe, overhead sewer, or sewer backup valve to prevent sewer backup or flooding.
If you are interested in elevating or floodproofing your building above the flood level, we may be able to apply for a federal grant to cover the cost.
Call the flood information hotline at 916-808-5061 to request a site visit to discuss protection measures for your property.

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Repetitive Loss Area Analysis map

Repetitive Loss Area Analysis

A Repetitive Loss Area Analysis is a mitigation plan for areas that have or are expected to experience repeated losses from flooding.

During this analysis, detailed building information is collected through field visits to develop an understanding of the exact causes of repetitive flood damage at those sites.

Natural floodplain functions

Floodplain lands and adjacent waters combine to form a complex, dynamic physical and biological system found nowhere else.

When portions of the floodplains are preserved in their natural state, or restored to it, they provide many benefits to both human and natural systems.

Some are static conditions – such as providing aesthetic pleasure – and some are active processes, such as reducing the number and severity of floods, helping handle stormwater runoff and minimizing non-point water pollution.

Natural Resource Maps

The City of Sacramento has many natural resources such as:

Annual Grassland
Riparian Woodland
Oak Woodlands
Freshwater Marsh
Vernal Pools
Seasonal Wetlands

Natural resources map 1/2

Natural Resources Map 2/2

American River Parkway

A prime example of a natural floodplain functions in Sacramento is the American River Parkway.

American River Parkway includes more than 20 miles of fishing, boating, guided natural and historic tours, bike paths.

Stormwater quality

Before the Sacramento area was developed, most rainfall fell onto natural areas and the water soaked into the ground.

Over the last century, we've changed the landscape dramatically by adding roads and buildings and drainage pipes.

Stormwater that once soaked into the ground now flows quickly into street gutters and drains.

It is then carried in pipes to our creeks and rivers without treatment.

Learn how the Sacramento Stormwater Quality Partnership works to protect our water at Be River Friendly.

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