CC Resolution No. 21-073 Accepting the 2021 Santa Clara County Multi-Jurisdictional Program for Public Information, a Program Under the Community Rating System of the Federal Emergency Management Agency's National Flood Insurance Program RESOLUTION NO. 21-073
A RESOLUTION OF THE CUPERTINO CITY COUNCIL
ACCEPTING THE 2021 SANTA CLARA COUNTY MULTI-
JURISDICTIONAL PROGRAM FOR PUBLIC INFORMATION, A
PROGRAM UNDER THE COMMUNITY RATING SYSTEM OF THE
FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY'S NATIONAL FLOOD
INSURANCE PROGRAM
WHEREAS, in 1968, the United States Congress passed the National Flood
Insurance Act creating the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). The NFIP
was designed to reduce future flood losses through local floodplain management
programs and was a provision of flood insurance to those most in need. The NFIP
requires that participating communities adopt certain minimum requirements
intended to reduce future flood losses; and
WHEREAS, in 1990, the NFIP implemented the Community Rating System
(CRS) as a voluntary program for recognizing and encouraging community
floodplain activities that exceed the minimum NFIP standards; and
WHEREAS, in 2005, the City of Cupertino was admitted to the CRS. The
City's participation in the CRS program gives flood insurance policy holders a
discounted premium; and
WHEREAS, in 2013, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA),
the agency responsible for implementing the NFIP, updated the CRS program by
adding new elements to encourage each participating community to increase
efforts in promoting CRS goals; and
WHEREAS, one of the new public outreach elements of the CRS program
is the formation of a Multi-Jurisdictional Program for Public Information(PPI)that
will encourage targeted outreach to a larger regional area; and
WHEREAS, in 2015, the first Santa Clara County Multi-Jurisdictional PPI
was approved by the Santa Clara Valley Water District Board for use by
communities within Santa Clara County that participate in the CRS program; and
WHEREAS, every five years, the PPI must be updated and adopted by the
participating communities. The 2021 Santa Clara County Multi-Jurisdictional PPI
is the updated five-year plan adopted by the Santa Clara Valley Water District.
Resolution No. 21-073 7,
Page 2
WHEREAS, in 2020, the City of Cupertino, along with other communities
I=.
in Santa Clara County, worked with the Santa Clara Valley Water District to
update the 2015 PPI. The PPI was developed jointly and must be approved by a
community's elected body in order to provide enhancement to the local agency's
CRS program; and
WHEREAS,in each subsequent year an annual report must be submitted to
FEMA to describe PPI implementation and every five years, the legislative bodies
of all participating communities must re-approve the plan in order to continue
receiving CRS credit for the PPI activity.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council does hereby
approve the 2021 Santa Clara County Multi-Jurisdictional Program for Public
Information.
PASSED AND ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the City Council of the City of
Cupertino this 17th day of August 2021, by the following vote:
Vote Members of the City Council
AYES: Chao, Moore, Wei, Willey
NOES: None
ABSENT: Paul
ABSTAIN: None
SIGNED:
Date
Darcy Paul, Mayor
City of Cupertino
ATTEST:
Date
Kirsten Squarcia, City Clerk
ATTACHMENT B
Santa Clara County Multi-Jurisdictional
Program for Public Information 2021
(5-Year Plan)
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April 2021
Prepared by:
Santa Clara Valley Water District
and
Participating County of Santa Clara Communities
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS
I. BACKGROUND............................................................................................................1
II. GOALS.........................................................................................................................2
III. PPI COMMITTEE.........................................................................................................3
IV. COMMUNITIES' FLOOD HAZARD AREA....................................................................8
a. County of Santa Clara
b. Cupertino
C. Gilroy
d. Los Altos
e. Los Altos Hills (town)
f. Los Gatos (town)
g. Milpitas
h. Morgan Hill
i. Mountain View
j. Palo Alto
k. San Jose
I. Santa Clara
M. Saratoga
n. Sunnyvale
V. TARGET AUDI ENCES...............................................................................................40
VI. OTHER PUBLIC INFORMATION EFFORTS..............................................................42
VI I. COMMUNICATION STRATEGY, PROJECTS, AND INITIATIVES.............................44
VIII. ANNUAL EVALUATION .............................................................................................66
IX. FIVE-YEAR PPI REVISIONS ........................................................................ 67
X. ADOPTION ................................................................................................................67
XI. REFERENCES...........................................................................................................67
XII. APPENDIX A: CRS Creditable Outreach and Flood Response Projects by Community
(in separate electronic file)..........................................................................................69
XIII. APPENDIX B: Additional CRS Outreach Projects ......................................................78
XIV. APPENDIX C: Past Members of the Santa Clara County 2015 PPI Committee......... 87
XV. APPENDIX D: Definitions of FEMA Flood Zone Designations............................... 88
i
List of Abbreviations
Abbreviation Description
AFN Access and Functional Needs
ALERT Automated Local Evaluation in Real Time
ARES Amateur Radio Emergency Services
CADRE Collaborating Agencies' Disaster Relief Effort
CAL Communities at Large
CCD Coastal Clean-Up Day
CERT Community Emergency Response Team
CFM Certified Floodplain Manager
CFPW California Flood Preparedness Week
CIP Capital Improvement Projects
COVID Corona Virus Disease
CP Coverage Improvement Plan
CPI Coverage Improvement Plan Implementation
CPRU Community Project Review Unit
CRS Community Rating System
CUP City of Cupertino
CWM Countywide Mailer
DFH Disclosure of Flood Hazard
DWR Department of Water Resources
ECHO Executive Council of Homeowners
EOC Emergency Operations Center
ED Earth Day
ESV Emergency Services Volunteers
FAA Financial Assistance Advice
FEMA Federal Emergency Management Agency
FIRM Flood Insurance Rate Map
FPM Floodplain Manager or Floodplain Mailer
FRP Flood Response Preparations
GIL City of Gilroy
GIs Geographic Information System
GF Gilroy Garlic Festival
HOA Homeowners Association
ISO Insurance Services Office
JPA Joint Powers Authority
LA City of Los Altos
LAH Town of Los Altos Hills
LG Town of Los Gatos
MS4s Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems
NFIP National Flood Insurance Program
NOAA National Ocean & Atmospheric Administration
NPDES National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System
ii
NRCD National River Clean-Up Day
OA Operational Area
OEM Office of Emergency Management
OES Office of Emergency Services
O&M Operations & Maintainance
OP Outreach Project
MCOH Municipal Corporation Open House
MIL City of Milpitas
MH City of Morgan Hill
MV City of Mountain View
MVA&WF Mountain View Art&Wine Festival
PA City of Palo Alto
PE Professional Engineer
PG&E Pacific Gas & Electric
PPA Property Protection Advice
PPI Program for Public Information
PPV Protection Advice Provided after a Site Visit
PWWCOH Public Works Week Community Open House
RACES Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service
ReadySCC Ready Santa Clara County
REB Real Estate Agent Brochure
RL Repetitive Loss
SAR City of Saratoga
SC City of Santa Clara
SCC Santa Clara County
SCVURPP Santa Clara Valley Urban Runoff Pollution Prevention Program
SFHA Special Flood Hazard Area
Si City of San Jose
SU City of Sunnyvale
TA Target Audience
TNL Thursday Night Live
TP Town Picnic
USACOE United States Army Corps of Engineers
USGS United States Geological Survey
VW Valley Water
WDR Waste Discharge Requirements
WEB Flood Protection Website
iii
I. BACKGROUND
Santa Clara County is located at the south end of San Francisco Bay and has come to be known as
Silicon Valley. Currently, eleven (11) of the seventeen (17) communities in Santa Clara County
participate in the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA), National Flood Insurance
Program (NFIP), Community Rating System (CRS), a program to provide discounts on flood insurance
premiums. Santa Clara Valley Water District(Valley Water), the water management agency for Santa
Clara County, participates as one of the few fictitious communities in the nation. This unique
arrangement was set up with FEMA in 1998 so participating Santa Clara County CRS communities
could take advantage of Valley Water's point-earning efforts. Essentially, this allows Valley Water's
activities to provide a foundation of points with simplified bookkeeping, since FEMA has already
approved the activities through Valley Water's 5-year verification visits and subsequent annual
recertifications.
Flooding in Santa Clara County comes from heavy local rainstorms that occur during the winter months
of December through March. Occasionally, the rainy season extends into April, but little rain falls
between May to October. Valley Water designs and carries out extensive flood protection outreach
programs. For example, Valley Water shares social media videos and postings, digital banners,
newspaper advertorials, radio, and television/mobile ads targeted by area and language and maintains
an extensive website of flood protection information. Communities have augmented Valley Water's
efforts through other efforts targeted within their specific jurisdiction. Until the Program for Public
Information (PPI) process started, there had been little discussion between the communities and Valley
Water about the effectiveness of these programs and if they contained the most significant messages.
Since becoming part of the program, Valley Water has led meetings to educate participating
communities floodplain managers and increase participation in CRS. In 2012, Valley Water hosted a
5-day FEMA class on Floodplain Management, to help prepare staff from local cities for the Certified
Floodplain Manager(CFM) exam. Based on the high number of participants, it was clear that local
communities were interested in working with their counterparts in other communities to understand the
CRS program better and maximize their own jurisdiction's CRS points.
The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) provides statewide NFIP workshops that are
designed to interpret and explain the NFIP regulations and to give an overview of the need for
community-based floodplain management. DWR and FEMA conduct workshops for floodplain
management agencies, including State and local officials. The workshops allow floodplain management
officials to have a greater understanding of FEMA's minimum regulation requirements and how to meet
them. Valley Water continues to coordinate with the DWR to ensure these trainings and workshops
can be offered locally to our area's CFMs and floodplain management officials by hosting these events,
at a minimum, every other year.
The new Program for Public Information (PPI) introduced in the FEMA NFIP CRS Coordinator's Manual
(Edition 2013) was recognized as an excellent project to work on jointly with the CRS communities of
Santa Clara County. As stated in the example PPI from Snohomish County, Washington:
The Program for Public Information is a planning tool to provide a step-by-step
coordinated approach to flood hazard outreach. The PPI can be developed and
implemented by a single community or with other communities as a multi-
jurisdictional effort. The purpose is the same: to improve communication with
citizens, and to provide information about flood hazards, flood safety, flood
insurance and ways to protect property and natural floodplain functions to those
who can benefit from it. The intent of the CRS program, and the PPI, is to
reduce injury to people and damage to property from future floods. Coordination
between jurisdictions through a Multi-Jurisdictional Program for Public
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Information further increases efficiency in resources and improves
communication with citizens.
Additionally, developing a Multi-Jurisdictional PPI in Santa Clara County was a way to earn significant
CRS points, which may translate into greater discounts on flood insurance premiums for our policy
holders. The Multi-Jurisdictional PPI rewards participants for developing messages that are tailored to
local needs.
In November 2013, Valley Water proceeded to convene a meeting of all the CRS coordinators in the
county to explain the PPI process and gauge interest for developing a Multi-Jurisdictional PPI for Santa
Clara County. Although Valley Water offered to host the process and provided staffing, it was
understood that for the 2015 PPI development each participating community would be required to: 1)
conduct the CRS Self-Assessment; 2) recruit a non-governmental stakeholder; 3) participate in the PPI
Committee meetings and 4) bring the PPI to their elected body for approval. With the enthusiastic
support of the CRS coordinators, the PPI process was started.
In 2015, twelve (12) communities agreed to develop the PPI. These communities were comprised of
the ten (10) incorporated cities, County of Santa Clara, and Valley Water. For the original twelve (12)
communities, several factors encouraged development of the PPI in 2015. First, the California
Department of Water Resources (DWR) Flood Futures Report, released in November of 2013, took a
comprehensive look at flood risk across the entire state. Santa Clara County was listed second in
California in two important flood risk categories: most-people-exposed-to-flooding and most-property-
exposed-to-flooding. Additionally, the threat of sea-level rise and increases in storm intensity expected
from climate change may make flooding more severe locally. Finally, the local Insurance Service Office
(ISO) CRS Specialist brought it to Valley Water's attention as something that would work well with the
agency's role as a fictitious community.
The six priority topics of the revised CRS program are essentially best management practices for
households but are not necessarily focused on businesses. The major employers of Silicon Valley form
a ring around the edge of the bay, located in areas subject to tidal flooding. As sea levels rise due to
climate change, these industrial parks will be subject to more frequent flooding. Although the buildings
may be designed to withstand floods, issues associated with flooded roads may create problems for
thousands of workers getting to and from work. Each person who works in the tidal flooding zone will
need to develop emergency plans for getting home before freeways flood, communicate with their
families, and take care of them.
In Santa Clara County, most of the flood risk to households is from fluvial flooding (creek flooding).
Since Santa Clara County is adjacent to San Francisco Bay, tidal and fluvial flooding both pose risks.
Historically, fluvial flooding has caused most of the flood damage that has occurred here, but in the
future, the risk of tidal flooding is expected to increase due to climate change-induced sea-level rise.
The PPI Committee meetings have provided an opportunity for staff from the various cities and Valley
Water, who work on CRS regularly, to talk about what the local flood messages really need to say and
what aspects of the extensive public outreach plan are already in place and are working well. As
electronic forms of communication become more and more a part of daily living, information is expected
to be just a few clicks away. The role of local flood professionals is to make sure that the information is
in place for people to find when they need it. In the PPI meetings, discussions have occurred as to
what makes up that"needed information."
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II. GOALS
The PPI participants share a vision to improve the efficiency of the communities' collective outreach
efforts and to tailor outreach messages better to local needs. The participants also see the PPI as the
backbone activity of an ongoing CRS Users Group that will help the local governments maintain or
improve their individual CRS ratings by encouraging the purchase of flood insurance and promoting
best practices that reduce flood risk.
At the beginning of the PPI process, it was recognized that getting the twelve (12) communities to meet
all the FEMA requirements for participation would be a challenge. Consequently, the goal was set for
the first year's PPI as getting the process going with as many communities as possible and developing
a track record of success. Given that Valley Water has had an extensive public outreach program for
many years, the goal was not to increase the size and scope of the program but to tailor the existing
programs to be more effective and efficient.
Through discussions with stakeholders during the PPI meetings, the PPI process was determined to be
a good way to evaluate the existing outreach system and build on what works well. The cities' staff had
good insight about what aspects of Valley Water's program were well-received with their residents
through questions, complaints, and comments they have gotten from the public over the years. The
stakeholders shared reactions to various components of past outreach efforts and their effectiveness in
conveying the message.
Several messages relating to public safety came out of the discussions as messages that need to be
stressed. One was to "slow down on wet roads"and the other is "never drive through water." Even
though these are common sense messages, there are accidents every rainy season because some
people do not follow them.
The lack of personal emergency plans was also seen as an ongoing problem. Although it is easy to
prepare these plans, many families do not get around to it until after the emergency has already
happened. For the most part, the family emergency plan is the same for a whole range of
emergencies. Locally, the most likely emergencies are related to fire, earthquake, or flooding.
Another goal that surfaced through the discussions is collaborating with non-governmental
organizations like American Red Cross and Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E), who conduct their own
outreach. A few slides will be added to the standard American Red Cross and/or PG&E presentations
on flooding and encouraging people to purchase flood insurance. The PPI participants may send
speakers with knowledge of flooding to appropriate groups.
III. PPI COMMITTEE
2015 PPI Committee
FEMA requires that each community provide at least two representatives to the regional PPI
Committee, with at least half of the representatives from outside of the local government. Additionally,
at least half of the representatives must attend all the meetings of the regional committee. The past
2015 PPI Committee is listed in Appendix C.
Each PPI Committee member was asked to share their perspectives on flood information needs and
how the existing programs worked.
The meetings were organized to follow the example in the FEMA report Developing a Program for
Public Information (March 2013) which breaks the process into the following seven (7) steps:
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Step 1: Establish a PPI Committee.
Step 2: Assess the community's public information needs and inventory existing public information
and outreach efforts.
Step 3: Formulate messages.
Step 4: Identify outreach projects to convey the messages.
Step 5: Examine other public information initiatives.
Step 6: Prepare the PPI document.
Step 7: Implement, monitor, and evaluate the program.
The process was designed to be accomplished in four meetings to allow time for a wide range of
discussions. Between the third and the fourth meeting, a subgroup worked on drafting the PPI for the
rest of the committee members to review. The dates were set at the beginning of the process for
participants to arrange their schedules accordingly. Even with a lot of lead time, getting participation
was challenging. Part of the issue may have been local weather conditions. Severe drought made
planning for flood protection seem less relevant than normal.
The first stakeholder meeting was held on February 12, 2014. Communities were asked to complete
FEMA's self-assessment before the meeting. The participants got to know each other by sharing the
flood risk characteristics and flood insurance statistics identified from the self-assessments. These
characteristics were translated into the public information needs(Step 2) and target audiences. Step 3
was started by formulating messages and Step 4 by identifying projects for the PPI.
The second meeting was held on March 27, 2014. The information from the previous meeting had been
captured in a draft of the PPI worksheet and it was agreed to use this draft worksheet as minutes of the
discussion. A presentation was given on the outreach program operated by Valley Water and
discussion ensued regarding the effectiveness of these programs based on perceptions of the
stakeholders. Significant progress was made on Steps 3, 4, and 5. In addition to outreach projects, the
importance of other public information initiatives (Step 5)was discussed. As our society gets more
web-based, people expect to find the information they seek at any time day or night within a few clicks.
The consensus was that as the flood protection professionals for the county, it is our job to make sure
that the information is available on our websites for our residents to find when they need it.
The third meeting was held on April 24, 2014. The American Red Cross presented their outreach
programs, which are designed for disaster planning in general, not necessarily for flooding disasters.
PG&E also briefly presented. This finished Step 2. The PPI worksheet was updated again.
During the April meeting, a sub-committee was convened to draft the PPI. Three working meetings
were held to work through issues related to the draft. Writing assignments were shared to produce a
draft for the full PPI Committee to review. Messages were formulated (Step 3) and outreach projects to
convey the messages (Step 4) were identified.
The fourth meeting was held on June 26, 2014, to discuss the draft of the PPI and to finish filling out the
assignments for the PPI worksheet. Based on the comments received at the meeting, another draft
was circulated by email for the PPI stakeholders to approve.
2021 PPI Committee
Every five years, the PPI Committee reconvenes to review and revise the PPI document. The 2021
PPI Committee (see Table 1) initially met on February 27, 2020, to update the 2015 PPI; due to sunset
in April 2020. The meeting outcomes included: 1) gathering communities' input on how the 2015 PPI
worked in FY20; 2) planning and confirming the PPI messages to finalize the Annual Evaluation Report
for FY20 (Year 5), and 3) reviewing and updating the 2015 PPI to develop the 2021 PPI in accordance
with the FEMA NFIP CRS Coordinator's Manual (Edition 2017).
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Shortly after the meeting, on March 4, 2020, Governor Gavin Newsom issued a Proclamation of a State
of Emergency in the State of California in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. On March 16, 2020,
the County of Santa Clara Public Health Officer issued a legal order directing all residents to shelter-in-
place starting March 17, 2020. In compliance with the Public Health Order, all upcoming Santa Clara
County PPI Meetings were postponed until further notice.
On October 29, 2020, the PPI Committee reconvened virtually to discuss the revisions on the
2015 PPI. It was the consensus of the committee to amend the existing 2015 PPI, rather than create a
new document.
On December 11, 2020, the PPI Committee met virtually to review the newly drafted 2021 PPI. During
the meeting, Valley Water's 2020-21 Flood Awareness Campaign was discussed, including Valley
Water's Annual Floodplain Mailer. The committee also reviewed the previous year's 2019-20 Flood
Awareness Campaign survey data results. Valley Water shared the `Social Media Resource Guide'
available to all Santa Clara County cities and the county.
The PPI Committee reviewed the additional outreach projects for Activity 360 - Flood Protection
Assistance and outreach projects for Activity 370 - Flood Insurance Promotion. Additionally, the PPI
Committee agreed to create two Appendices. Appendix A documents the creditable CRS activities
each community will report on during their verification cycle visit and Appendix B documents the non-
creditable Activity 330 Outreach Projects conducted in the community. The non-creditable CRS
activities are other additional flood preparedness outreach efforts the community undertakes; however,
outreach projects identified in Appendix B may be creditable under other CRS activities/element, such
as Activity 350, c). Flood protection website (WEB).
For the benefit of communities/representatives who were unable to join the PPI meetings scheduled on
February 27, 2020, October 29, 2020, or December 11, 2020, Zoom videos of the October and
December meetings were shared with PPI Committee members following each meeting.
For the 2021 PPI Committee, there are 15 participating communities, 11 (eleven) participating CRS
communities and four(4) communities who are showing an interest in applying to become a CRS
community. These four communities are the County of Santa Clara, the Town of Los Altos Hills, the
Town of Los Gatos, and the City of Saratoga.
Stakeholder Definition and Responsibilities
According to the FEMA NFIP CRS Coordinator's Manual (Edition 2017) (page 330-23), "a stakeholder
can be any agency, organization, or person (other than the community itself)that supports the
message." For example, a city resident or floodplain resident, business leader, insurance agent, civic
group, academia, a non-profit organization, major employers, managers of critical facilities, farmer,
landowner, developer, and other participants with no attachment to the local government can be a
stakeholder.
The responsibilities of a stakeholder are as follows:
Annually:
1) Attend Santa Clara County PPI Committee Meetings (internal/external stakeholder) meetings
(typically two (2) meetings a year); and
2) Provide input on the development of the Annual Evaluation Report for the PPI.
Every Five Years:
1) Provide input on the development of the Santa Clara County Multi-Jurisdictional Program for
Public Information (PPI)with the perspective of a resident/business/organization (typically 2-4
meetings every five (5) years).
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Table 1. Members of the Santa Clara County Multi-Jurisdictional 2021 PPI Committee
Community Local Government External Stakeholders
Representative and Alternates
County of Chris Freitas, Sr. Civil Engineer Marsha Hovey, CADRE Board Chair
Santa Clara Neville R. Pereira, PE, Development Services
Manager, Department of Planning and
Development, Floodplain Manager
Cupertino Chad Mosley,Assistant Public Works Director/City Jim Oberhofer, Emergency Coordinator
Engineer, Public Works Department, Floodplain Cupertino ARES/RACES
Manager
Jennifer Chu, Senior Civil Engineer
Public Works Department
Gilroy Gary Heap, City Engineer Merna Leal, City of Gilroy resident
Public Works Department
Jorge Duran, Senior Civil Engineer, Floodplain
Manager Public Works Department
Los Altos Steven Golden, Senior Planner, Floodplain Christopher Wilson, Operations
Manager Manager, Los Altos Suburban District,
Andrea Trese,Associate Civil Engineer California Water Company
Los Altos Hill Carl Cahill, City Manager, Floodplain Manager Phil Witt, General Manager Purissima
Nichol Bowersox, Public Works Director/ Hills Water District
City Engineer
Christine Hoffmann, Assistant Engineer DPW
Los Gatos WooJae Kim, P.E, Town Engineer Annamaria Swardenski, Swardenski
Parks and Public Works, Floodplain Manager Consulting
Milpitas Steven Erickson, City Engineer/Engineering Warren Wettenstein, Chairman of the
Director, Floodplain Manager Economic Development&Trade
Kan Xu, Principal Civil Engineer, Commission and President of the
Engineering Land Development Section Milpitas Chamber
Brian Petrovic, Associate Civil Engineer
Engineering Land Development Section
Elizabeth Koo, Administrative Analyst, Engineering
Land Development Section
Morgan Hill Maria Angeles, Senior Civil Engineer, Floodplain Swanee Edwards, City of Morgan Hill
Manager, CFM resident
Charlie Ha, Supervising Civil Engineer
Engineering & Utilities Department
Mountain View Renee Gunn, Senior Civil Engineer, Public Works Kevin Conant, PG&E
Department
Gabrielle Abdon, Assistant Engineer, CFM
Palo Alto Rajeev Hada, Project Engineer, CFM Dan Melick, CERT Volunteer
Public Works Department, Engineering Services City of Palo Alto resident
Division, Floodplain Manager
San Jose Arlene Lew, Principal Engineering Technician Shari Carlet, City of San Jose resident,
Vivian Tom, Senior Transportation Specialist certified Floodplain Manager
Department of Public Works Development Services
Division
Santa Clara Evelyn Liang, Senior Civil Engineer Kevin Moore, Retired City Council
Falguni Amin, Principal Engineer member
Public Works—Engineering
Saratoga David Dorcich, PE, QSP/D, Associate Civil Rebecca Gallardo, Real Estate Agent
Engineer, Community Development Department, for Intero, a Berkshire Hathaway Affiliate,
Floodplain Manager servicing all areas of the Bay Area
Sunnyvale Tamara Davis, Senior Management Analyst Jeff Holzman, Director, Real Estate
District Development Google
Agnes Veith, City of Sunnyvale resident
Valley Water Trisha Howard, Program Administrator Nikki Rowe, American Red Cross
Paola Giles, Public Information Representative III
Sherilyn Tran, Office of Civic Engagement Unit
Manager
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IV. COMMUNITIES' FLOOD HAZARD AREAS
The sections below provide a description of each participating community and their flood hazard areas.
In Santa Clara County, careful attention needs to be paid to flood protection for the businesses that
make up Silicon Valley. Many of these large employers are located in a ring of office parks near the
edge of the San Francisco Bay in areas subject to both fluvial and tidal flooding. This is particularly true
for the communities of Palo Alto, Mountain View, Sunnyvale, Santa Clara, San Jose, and Milpitas.
Data Sources for Individual Community Sections:
Community Description: The introductory community description sections were provided by each
community.
Population Data: In the below individual city/county pages, the population data were obtained from the
US Census Bureau population estimates dated July 1, 2019:
https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table.
Flood Hazard Data: The Flood Hazard Data was provided by each community.
Flood Insurance Data: The Flood Insurance Data was provided by the CRS Technical Reviewer, ISO
representative Dave Arkens on November 15 and 18, 2020, from the FEMA Community Information
System (CIS) database. These estimates are dated as of November 2, 2020.
The insurance occupancy zone data indicates residential land use. The insurance flood zone data
indicates policies in different flood zones, including non-flood zones.
For the definitions of the FEMA flood zone designations in the insurance occupancy and flood zone,
please see Appendix D.
FEMA Flood Hazard Area Maps: The FEMA Flood Hazard Area Maps were provided by Valley Water's
Geographic Information System (GIS) team through the Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) database
and are dated as of November 2020.
The FIRM is the basis for floodplain management, mitigation, and insurance activities for the NFIP.
Insurance applications include enforcement of the mandatory purchase requirement of the Flood
Disaster Protection Act, which "... requires the purchase of flood insurance by property owners who are
being assisted by Federal programs or by Federally supervised, regulated or insured agencies or
institutions in the acquisition or improvement of land facilities located or to be located in identified areas
having special flood hazards, " Section 2(b)(4) of the Flood Disaster Protection Act of 1973.
In addition to the identification of SFHAs, the risk zones shown on the FIRMs are the basis for the
establishment of premium rates for flood coverage offered through the NFIP. The FIRM Database
presents the flood risk information depicted on the FIRM in a digital format suitable for use in electronic
mapping applications. The FIRM Database serves to archive the information collected during the Flood
Risk Project.
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County of Santa Clara, Unincorporated Areas
The County of Santa Clara is located at the south end of San Francisco Bay between Alameda and
San Mateo counties. The county has a population of about 1,927,852 residents. There are 13
incorporated cities and two (2) incorporated towns located in Santa Clara County. Most are
concentrated in the northern half of the county near San Francisco Bay and these cities are jointly
known as Silicon Valley. Gilroy and Morgan Hill are located in the southern half of the county. Santa
Clara County also falls in two (2) major watersheds. The northern section flows to San Francisco Bay
through Coyote Creek, the Guadalupe River, Stevens Creek, San Francisquito Creek, and a few
smaller creeks. The southern section flows to Monterey Bay through the Pajaro River.
Although 73 percent of the land is unincorporated or not included within any city; only five (5) percent of
the County's population lives outside of the cities. Most of the unincorporated land is used for
agriculture (63 percent), 19 percent is in low-density residential, 17 percent is in parks and open space
preserves with about one (1) percent in commercial and industrial uses.
Flood Hazard On the FEMA floodplain maps, part of the southern boundary of the County.
four(4) Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) zones There are levees included in the SFHA and they
are identified. They are A, AE, AO, and AH. The have been re-certified within the last seven years.
number of structures in the SFHA is unknown, but Though the county has experienced isolated local
most are included in low-density residential zones flooding events in the last ten years, no events of
except for eight(8)trailer parks in the note have been experienced since the storm
unincorporated County. Most of the flooding in events of 1995, 1997, and 1998 (Disaster DR-
the unincorporated County occurs along Llagas 1046, DR-1155, and DR-1203, respectively).
Creek between Morgan Hill and Gilroy, flowing
south to and along the Pajaro River which forms
FEMA Flood Hazard Areas-North Santa Clara County
SA ALAM WA COUNTY
MATEO f
-� C eras STANISLAUS
COUNTY Raservdir �"'\ r{ �._J~�""�- COUNTY
Palo
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Altos Los Santa .moo
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rEGF.NO NOVEMBER 2020
Santa Clara County Special Flood Hazard Area(SFHA) ' Appmclmete sore
Santa Clara County Cities Creeks n�"°M `Valley Water
- 9
I
FEMA Flood Hazard Areas-South Santa Clara County
Ld --1 11)
t STANISLAUS
COUNTY
At El—
�•. l 1�_ Chee. ,� r C"
!� t � ►ethoeo
Reservos '`
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OUNTY
COUNTY
BAN BENITO
COUNTY
MONTEREY COU NTI�
NavENBER]OA
lE4fN4
[� Santa Clara County L....7 Special Flood Hazard Area(SFHA)
Santa Clara County Cities Creeks VcUey Water
Repetitive Loss Properties The unincorporated section in the areas of County of Santa Clara have
three (3) repetitive loss properties.
County of Santa Clara Flood Insurance Data (as of 11/02/20)
Insurance by Occupancy
Number of
Policies in Insurance in Closed Paid $of Closed Adjustment
Force Premium Force Losses Paid Losses Expense
Single Family 338 $517,704 $88,651,200 124 $1,586,157-90 $71,472.81
2-4 Family 5 $8,006 $1,250,000 2 $2,520-04 $425.00
All other Residential 4 $8,173 $1,785,900 6 $144,245.01 $3,425-00
Non Residential 38 $122,904 $7,434,600 9 $126,397-89 $3,385-00
Total 385 $656,787 $99,121,700 141 $1,859,320-84 $78,707-81
Insurance by Zone
Number of
Policies in Insurance in Closed Paid $of Closed Paid Adjustment
Force Premium Force Losses Losses Expense
A01-30& AEZones 123 $222,993 $30,144,600 50 $869,607-32 $32,150.78
AZones 104 $259,113 $24,952,100 40 $180,129.76 $11,820.00
AO Zones 57 $62,601 $15,199,500 16 $306,69926 $14,577-03
AH Zones 10 $10,640 $2,544,600 2 $14,080-36 $370-00
AR Zones 0 $0 $0 0 $0.00 $0.00
A99 Zones 0 $0 $0 0 $0.00 $0-00
V01-30& VE Zones 0 $0 $0 0 $0.00 $0.00
V Zones 0 $0 $0 0 $0.00 $0.00
DZones 41 $76,355 $10485,300 15 $421,076-92 $14,065-00
B.C& X Zone
Standard 21 $15,307 $7,393,100 4 $15,559.56 $1,925M
Preferred 11 $4,307 $3,850,000 2 $0-00 $495.00
Total 367 $651,316 $94,569,200 129 $1,807,153.18 $75,402.81
-6-
City of Cupertino
The City of Cupertino is located at the southern end of San Francisco Bay, on the western edge of the
Santa Clara Valley. It is approximately ten (10) miles southwest of the Mineta San Jose International
Airport with convenient freeway access via State Route 85 and Interstate 280. The city, home of
Apple's corporate headquarters and De Anza College, has a population of over 59,276 residents and
encompasses 11.3 square miles or 7,230 acres.
Flood Hazard Under the current FIRMs, the FEMAFloodHazardAreas-Cupertino
City of Cupertino has 130 structures in the ti,°°t,taln
Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA). The city's "lew„�
SFHAs consist solely of designated zones A g
and AE. Of the total number of structures in the
SHFA, 80 percent are single-family (1-4 units), ws Sunnyvale
one (1) percent is multi-family (5 or more units), "'tO5 \
and 19 percent are commercial or non- t °vx°=
residential. Several streams run through }° °`^-�r 'Sant.,
Cl, ,
Cupertino that flow into the San Francisco Bay, Cup ino ° „�
including Calabazas Creek, Saratoga Creek,
Stevens Creek, Regnart Creek, Heney Creek, J
Prospect Creek and Permanente Creek.
Specific areas that are susceptible to flooding r
are near Stevens Creek and Heney Creek. The y e San Jose
city had experienced flooding around
Calabazas Creek in 1998, but flood protection �r
projects completed by Valley Water have JU
a
v °x c
decreased the risk of flooding significantly. { L_ p ' J/
Sarawpa;
Repetitive Loss Properties There are ,,.. J.
; 'r X�
currently no repetitive loss properties in the city.
The city had one (1) repetitive loss property 4a,.m..,� �•`;. �' ;
within its jurisdiction and the property was
purchased by the city in 2014.
Cityol'Cupertim Special Flood Huard Area(SFHA)
G� Santa Clara County Gties Creeks `V°tley Water
- 7 -
City of Cupertino Flood Insurance Data (as of 11102120)
Insurance by Occupancy
Number of
Policies In Insurance in Closed Paid $of Closed Adjustment
Force Premium Force j Losses Paid Losses ( Expense
Single Family 66 $65,619 $19,769,0001 11 $56,103.61 $3,130.00
2 4 Family $1,584 $1,352,400 1 $751.13 $225.00
All Other Residential 4 $11,089 $2,400,000 7 $755,315.99� $23,069-98i
Non Residential 4 $7,797 $2,200,000 1 $0.00 $275.001
Total 79 $86,089 $25,721,400 20 $812,170.73��, $26,699.98�
Insurance by Zone
Number of
Policies in I Insurance in Closed Paid $of Closed Paid' Adjustment
i
Force s Premium Force Losses Losses Expense
A01 70& AE Zones 23 $38 838 $5,767,400 4 $7,595 12 $975-00
AZones 17 - -$1,918 $250,000 21_.. $49,259.62 $1,750-00
AO zones 0 $0 $0 0 $0.00 $0.00
AH Zones f 0 $0 $0 0' $0,00 $0.00
AR Zones p� $0 _ $0 �M- 0' $0.00 $0 00
A99Zones r4 -Oj ___$0 - $0 p�M ._ _$0.00 $OA0'
v01-30& VE Zones s t0 - $0 $0 01 - $0_00 $0.00 j
vZones 0� $0 $0 01 $0.00 $0-00
D Zones 4 $6,475 $788,500 Dr _ $0.00: $0.00
B,C& X Zone
-----------
Standard 11 $211342 $4,680,500 6 $38,500.00 $1,810-00
Preferred 37` $16,618 $13,235,000 7 $716,815-99 $22,09498'
;Total 76) $85,191 $24,721,400 19 $812,170-73 $26,629 98
- 8 -
City of Gilroy
The City of Gilroy is situated in South Santa Clara County at the crossing of U.S. Highway 101 and
State Highway 152. The city is located approximately 16 miles south of San Jose to Monterey/Day
Road on U.S. Route 101 and 19 miles inland from the Pacific Coast. The city has a population of about
59,032 residents and has a total area of 10,340 acres or approximately 16.156 square miles.
Approximately seven (7) percent of this area in parks and preserves and another 29 percent consists of
agriculture and other open space uses. The remaining area is nearly completely developed, with the
predominance of single-family residences. The City of Gilroy has about 19 percent of vacant areas
(developable land).
Flood Hazard Under the current FIRMs, the City FEMAFIoodHazardAreas-Gilroy
of Gilroy has 96 structures in the Special Flood
Hazard Area (SFHA). The SFHAs are mainly in
FEMA designated Zones A, AE, AH, and AO. Of
the total structures in the SFHA, 26 percent are
single-family (1-4 units), none are multi-family (5 G
or more units), and four(4) percent are '
commercial or non-residential. The City of Gilroy
receives waters from Lions, Llagas, Uvas, North
and South Morey Creek. Specific areas that are °" \
susceptible to flooding are around Uvas Creek.
The levee on Uvas Creek has been certified by
FEMA. The City of Gilroy experienced flooding �� Mir°y
during the storms of December 14 to 28 in 1955. �. .
The heaviest precipitation occurred during the 3-
day period ending December 231. The 12.9
inches of rain reported in the Gilroy area resulted C 0
p Y � 0,���_.:��
in the Uvas and Carnadero Creeks creating a flow
of 14,000 cubic feet per second (CFS) at U.S.
Highway 101. Miller Slough was the principal
flood problem in January 1963. A rainfall of 3.21
inches for 24 hours caused severe flooding of
Forest Street, Church Street, and Sixth Street, mow=
with all the water flowing from Miller Slough. .•, ,v.
rr:Ul'.Na HOYEA1eEA 1020
=1 City of Gilroy i Special Flood Hazard Area(SFHA) Ak Santa Clara County Cities Creeks `VaLLey Water
FEMA Flood Hazard Areas Some zone designation areas in Gilroy are being reviewed. Please
contact the city's Floodplain Manager for information regarding the zones that are being reviewed.
Repetitive Loss Properties There are no repetitive loss properties in Gilroy.
- 9 -
City of Gilroy Flood Insurance Data (as of 11102120)
Insurance by Occupancy
............
i Number of
Policies in Insurance in Closed Paid $of Closed Adjustment
Force Premium Force Losses Paid Losses Expense
Single Family 52 $27,1721 $15,989,900 27 $211,308.55 $7,395-00
2d Family 0 $01 $0 0 $0 00 $0.00
lAll Other Residential 10 $2,5021 $1,040,000 3 $0-00 $210.00j
!Non Residential 74 $145420i $37,758,200 5 $90,808.78 $4,995.00,1
'Total 136 $175,094' $54,788,100 35 $302,117.33 $12,600.00!
I
Insurance by Zone
Number of _
Policies in iInsurance in Closed Paid $of Closed Paid, Adjustment
Force ; Premium Force Losses Losses Expense
1A0130& AE Zones 42 i $34,114 $18,928 800 4 $6,014.40 $785 00
$49,594 $5,054 700 12' $70,557.19 $2,520.00
'AO Zones 1 $3,290; $722 200, 1; $0.00 $70.00
AHZones 18 $40,754' $7,461,0001 1 $52,940-47 $800.00.
� .
iARZones p $0 $0 01 $0-00 $0.00
, Zones I 0 $0 $0 0 $0.00 $0-001
v0130& vE Zones 0' $p $0 0 $0.00 $0.00
vzones 0�—_ $0 $Oj 0 $0.00 $0.00
___w .
M Zones 2 $4,786 $700 000' 0 woo $0.00;
iB C&XZnne
12 $22,353 - - - --
j Standard ; $5,550,000 1r, $174,799.72 $8,575.00
Preferred 34 $15,064, $11 535 000. 0 $0 00 $0.00
-- --- ---
7ota1 123 $169,955( $49 951 700 34 $304,311.78 $12,750.00
- 16 -
City of Los Altos
The City of Los Altos is located at the base of the San Francisco Peninsula,40 miles south of San
Francisco. The approximately 6.3 square-mile city is developed primarily for single-family residential
with small businesses, schools, libraries, and churches.According to the 2019 census, it has a
population of 30,089,with a population density of 4,466.8 people per square mile, and an average
household size of 2.61 people.
Los Altos' climate is marine-influenced with an average summertime high temperature of 78°F and an
average low of 57°F, dropping to an average winter nighttime low temperature of 41°F and an average
high of 60°F. Mean annual precipitation ranges from 15 to 22 inches, with most precipitation falling
from November through March. Precipitation occurs entirely as rainfall. Snowmelt is not a hydrologic
process that significantly affects runoff in the city.
Flood Hazard Under the current FIRMs,the FEMAFloodHazardAreas-Los Altos
City of Los Altos has approximately 550
properties in the Special Flood Hazard Area n
(SFHA). SFHAs are mainly in FEMA Alto
designated Zones A, AH, AE and AO. Of the
total structures inthe SFHA, 99 percent are
single-family, and one (1) percent are
commercial or non-residential. The city has four
(4) creeks: Adobe Creek, Hale Creek, Mountain View -
Permanente Creek, and Stevens Creek. v
Specific areas that are susceptible to flooding Los " 4 i
are around Adobe, Permanente, and Hale Altos t."�
Creeks.
Precipitation that falls within the City of Los Altos
generates stormwater runoff.This runoff is `--
conveyed in several mostly manmade flood
protection systems that discharge to the creeks.
Most of these systems do not interact with one Los Altos -
another, and potential improvements to one
system should not impact the performance of
other systems.The total land area within the city
limits is roughly 6.3 square miles (approximately �� Sunnyvale
4,000 acres). To create a rural aesthetic, many
of the streets in Los Altos do not have traditional �Mm
suburban curb and gutter-lined streets.This �
++9'<+wp®�dW as ve.a
layout provides some attenuation before runoff '"« �w`"����m�s•���M� Cupe no 3
reaches a storm drain inlet.
C City of Los Altos Special Flood Hazard Area(SFHA)
� Santa Clara County Cities Creeks `Valley Water
In addition to storm drains, flood protection is
provided to the City of Los Altos by Valley Water
and its maintenance of our four creeks (Hale,
Stevens, Adobe, and Permanente)that convey
storm-generated runoff north to the San
Francisco Bay.
Repetitive Loss Properties There are no repetitive loss properties in the City of Los Altos.
i
I
- 17 -
City of Los Altos Flood Insurance Data (as of 11102120)
Insurance by Occupancy
Number of
Policies in Insurance in Closed Paid $of Closed Adjustment
Force Premium Force Losses Paid Losses Expense
Single Family 112 $84,511 $34,838,600 13 $32,874.17 $2,655-00
2A Family 2 $784 $700,000 0 $0.00 $0.00
All Other Residential 2 $760 $780,000 0 $0.00 $0.00
Non Residential 0 $0 $0 0 $0.00 $0.00
Total 116 $86,055 $36,318,60W 13 $32,874.17 $2,655.00
Insurance by Zone
Number of
Policies in Insurance in Closed Paid $of Closed Paid Adjustment
Force Premium Force Losses Losses Expense
A01-30& AEZones 12 $21,659 $3,079,600 5 $0.00 $570.00
A Zones 3 $10,794 $440,800 4 $27,633.02 $800.00
AO Zones 16 $14,900 $4,104,300 0 $0.00 $0.00
AHZones 3 $2,730' $768,900 0 $0.00 $0.00
AR Zones 0 $0 $0 0' $0.00 $0.00
A99 Zones 0 $0 $0 0 $0.00 $0.00
V01-30& VE Zones 0 $0 $0 0 $0.00' $0.00
VZones 0 $0' $0 0 $0.00 $0.00
D Zones 0 $0 $0 0 $0.00 $0.00
B,C& X Zone
Standard 12 $8,296, $4,000,000 2 $0.00 $185.00
Preferred 68 $27,156 $23,425,000 2 $5,241.15 $1,100.00
Total 114 $85,535' $35,818,600 13' $32,874.17 $2,655.00
- 18-
Town of Los Altos Hills
The Town of Los Altos Hills is a residential community in the northwestern region of Santa Clara
County. The Town is located adjacent to the City of Los Altos, 35 miles south of San Francisco, five
(5) miles south of Stanford University, and 17 miles north of downtown San Jose. The town
encompasses approximately nine (9) square miles and contains primarily single-family residences.
According to the 2019 Census Bureau, the population is 8,423 with a population density off 918
people per square mile.
There are no commercial or industrial uses within the town limits. As the town has developed over the
past 50 years, residents have continued to support the preservation of low-density residential
development and the semi-rural character of the community through one-acre zoning, the right to
keep horses on private property, and the protection of open space, creek corridors, wildlife habitat,
and heritage oak trees.
The town has a mild climate with average summertime highs of 78 degrees, and average wintertime
lows of 43 degrees. The town receives approximately 21 inches of rain per year, of which most
occurs between November and April. The town does not typically receive any precipitation in the form
of snow and does not typically receive any snowmelt runoff.
Flood Hazard: The town has six (6) creeks: FEMAFloodHazardAreas-Los Altos Hills
Adobe Creek, Barron Creek, Deer Creek, Hale
Creek, Matadero Creek, and Purissima Creek.
Under the current Flood Insurance Rate Maps Palo Mountain
(FIRMs), the Town has properties in the Alto View
Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) along each
of the creeks. SFHAs are shown on the FIRMs
as Zone A, V, AE, AO, AH, VE, or AR. The --
SFHAs included in the town are Zone A and $
AE. Approximately one (1) percent of �� ,� L0s �-
structures in the town are located in the one r j Altos
(1) percent annual chance floodplain (SFHAs).
Stormwater runoff, which is generated by Los Altos
precipitation within Los Altos Hills, is conveyed Hills
either in the manmade storm drain system or
allowed to naturally attenuate as overland flow. r
The storm drain system discharges to the
dwj
creeks mentioned above. The system is
comprised of small, localized systems that do
not interact with one another. To maintain the
semi-rural character of the town, many of the
streets do not contain traditional curb and 4r aa.
gutter lined streets. The lack of curb and gutter -
allows for some natural attenuation of runoff. ,
PeimanYnlY �°��
CireY i
In addition to the storm drain system, flood .s: r° a� mn.a�.•:w
protection is provided to the town by Valley
Water maintenance of Adobe Creek, Barron o City of Los Atlos Hills ; Special Flood Hazard Area(SFHA) ,
Creek, Deer Creek, Hale Creek, Matadero "Cara County Cites Creeks `Volley Water
Creek, and Purissima Creek. These creeks
convey storm-generated runoff to the San
Francisco Bay.
Repetitive Loss Properties: There are no repetitive loss properties in the Town of Los Altos Hills.
- 19 -
Town of Los Altos Hills Flood Insurance Data (as of 11102120)
Insurance by Occupancy
Number of
Policies in Insurance in Closed Paid $of Closed Adjustment
Force Premium Force Losses Paid Losses Expense
Single Family 47 $47,709 $14,707,200 16 $45,661.56 $3.355.00
2.4 Family 0 $0 $0 0 $0.00 $0.00
All Other Residential 0 $0 $0 0 $0.00 $0.00
Non Residential 1 $1,628 $60,000 0 $0.00 $0.00
Total 48 $49,337 $14,767,200 16 $45,661.56 $3,355.00
Insurance by Zone
Number of
Policies in Insurance in Closed Paid $of Closed Paid Adjustment
Force Premium Force Losses Losses Expense
A01-30& AE Zones 12 $23,104 $2,807,200 6 $3,723.91 $875.00
AZones 5 $11,939 $1,250,000, 2 $4,779.05 $495.00
AO Zones 0 $0 $0 0 $0.00 $0.00
AH Zones 0 $0 $0 0 $0.00 $0.00
AR Zones 0 $0 $0 0 $0.00 $0.00
A99 Zones 0 $0 $0 0 $0.00 $0.00
V01-30& VE Zones 0 $0 $0 0 $0.00 $0.00
V Zones 0 $0 $0 0 $0.00 $0.00
ID Zones 0 $0 $0 0 $0.00 $0.00
B,C& X Zone
Standard 5 $3,768 $1,750,000 6 $19,102.18 $810.00
Preferred 26 $10,526 $8,960,000 2 $18,056.42 $1,175.00
Total 48 $49,337 $14,767,200 16 $45,661.56 $3,355.00
- 20 -
Town of Los Gatos
The Town of Los Gatos is located at the southern end of San Francisco Bay. The town is about 50 miles
south of San Francisco. The town has a population of around 30,222 residents and encompasses 7,455
acres or approximately 11.7 square miles. Approximately 58 percent of this area are in residential, three
(3) percent in commercial and industrial, two (2) percent in office/research and development, five (5)
percent in public/quasi-public, one (1) percent in agricultural, 26 percent in parks and open space, and
the remaining in vacant/unassigned areas.
Flood Hazard Under the current FIRMs, the Town 1 FEMA Flood Hazard Areas-Los Gatos
of Los Gatos has 165 properties in the Special Flood `' V Campbell
Hazard Area (SFHA). The SFHAs are mainly in FEMA designated zones A, AE, AH and AO. Of the
total properties in the SFHA, 87 percent are 1-4
N San Jose
family residential, less than one (1) percent are
multi-family (5 or more families), and the remaining Saratoga
12 percent are non-residential areas. The town hasSAN
TA
Ross Creek, Los Gatos Creek, Smith Creek, and
San Tomas Aquino Creek. y
Repetitive Loss Properties The town does not
have repetitive loss properties.
Los
- Gatos
1L4a
a gnwa:neMos w
M1'nm<v.an
R.a aiu mi navrpraru.m u a
LEGEND xwEueFu zrtm
U City of Los Gatos Special flood Hazard Area(SFHA) A Vntle Water
Santa Clara County Cities Creeks ` y
I
- 21 -
Town of Los Gatos Flood Insurance Data (as of 11102120)
Insurance by Occupancy
Number of
Policies in Insurance in Closed Paid $of Closed Adjustment
Force Premium Force Losses Paid Losses Expense
Single Family 82 $47,653 $25,643,100 21 $51,957.41 $4,240.00
2.4 Family 0 $0 $0 0 $0.00 $0.00
All Other Residential 3 $1,602 $1,112,000 0 $0.00 $0.00.
Non Residential 0 $0 $0 0 $0.00 $0.00
Total 85 $49,255 $26,755,100 21 $51,957.41 $4,240.00
Insurance by Zone
Number of
Policies in Insurance in Closed Paid $of Closed Adjustment
Force Premium Force Losses Paid Losses Expense
A01-30& AEZones 101 $14,736 $2,525,000 0 $0.00 $0.00
AZones 11 $1,981 $250,000 8 $28,297.59 $1,725.00
AO Zones 0 $0 $0 0 $0.00 $0.00
!--
AHZones 0 $0 $0 0 $0,00 $0.00
ARZones 0 $0 $0 0 $0.00 $0.00
A99 Zones 0 $0 $0 0 $0.00 $0.00
V01-30& vE Zones 0' $0 $0 0 $0.00 $0.00
*Zones 0 $0 $0 0 $0.00 $0.00
*Zones 01 $0 $0 0 $0.00 $0.00
B,C& X Zone
Standard 71 $6,049 $1,533,100 9 $19,061.87 $1,600.00
Preferred 67 — $26,489 $22,447,000 3 $4,597.95 $845.00
Total 85 $49,255 $26,755,100 20 $51,957.41 $4,170.00
-22 -
City of Milpitas
The City of Milpitas, located at the southern tip of the San Francisco Bay, is a progressive community
that is an integral part of the high-tech Silicon Valley. With a diverse resident population of 84,196,
Milpitas features quality schools, conveniently located neighborhood parks and shopping centers.
Milpitas is often called the "Crossroads of Silicon Valley", with most of its 8,680 Acres or 13.63 square
miles of land situated between two major freeways (1-880 and 1-680), State Route 237, and a county
expressway. A new light rail line opened for service in 2004 and an extension of the BART subway
system is underway. The city encompasses 8,680 acres of land. Approximately 12 percent of this area
is in parks and preserves, less than one (1) percent consists of agricultural uses and other open space
uses, 31 percent in low-density residential uses, four(4) percent in medium-density residential uses,
eight (8) percent in high-density residential use, 12 percent in commercial/educational uses and 17
percent in industrial uses. There are approximately 1,790 acres, or 2.9 square miles, designated for
various industrial uses. About 271 acres are vacant and available in parcels ranging from '/2 acre to 75
acres. There are eight existing industrial parks and 550 manufacturing plants in Milpitas.
Flood Hazard The City of Milpitas manages a FEMA Flood Hazard Areas-Milpitas
floodplain that includes several local and Alameda
regional creeks that convey stormwater to other County Santa Clara
r-�
jurisdictions, bay lands and marshes of the San _ - county
Francisco Bay. Calera, Coyote, Penitencia,
Berryessa, Los Coches Piedmont,
Wrigley/Ford, and Tularcitos Creeks are among ,�� va„�
the major creeks that receive this stormwater. LA,
The City of Milpitas has 3,000 properties and
t„n
3,300 structures in the Special Flood Hazard Liras $ ""
Area (SFHA). SFHAs are mainly in FEMA
designated zones A, AE, AH, and AO and are ,
located near Calera, Penitencia, Berryessa, Los
Coches and Tularcitos Creeks.
Repetitive Loss Properties The city does not
have repetitive loss properties.
.JY Crd+�' lice°
\ J' San Jose
.. 4- ti
C 1 City of Milpitas Special Flood Hazard Area(SFHA) A
17.-`1 Santa Clara County Cities Creeks `Valley Water
— 23 —
City of Milpitas Flood Insurance Data (as of 11102120)
Insurance by Occupancy
Number of
Policies in Insurance in Closed Paid $of Closed Adjustment
Force Premium Force Losses Paid Losses Expense
Single Family 861 ' $930,877, $217,612,800 64 $72,077.29 i $11,620-00
2-4 Family '103: $43,713 $24,465,100 4 $3,259.08' $525.00
All Other Residential 193f $59,584 $42,116,500 1 $0.00 $125-00
Non Residential 921 $191,745 $48,877,500 4 $0.00; $445.00
Total 1,249. $1,225,919 $333,071 900 73 $75,336-371 �M$12,715.00
Insurance by Zone
Number of
Policies in Insurance in Closed Paid $of Closed Paid Adjustment
Force Premium Force Losses Losses Expense
A01-30& AEZones 313 $612,811 $78,773,400 7, $0.00 $11515.00,
AZones 2 $2,199 $526,300 29 $46,730.91 $4,730.00,,
AO Zones 146 $178,946 $43,627,900 5 $6,706.92 $2,055-00
AHZones 424 $258,998' $97,639,700 14 $8,802.44j $2,010.00
AR Zones 0 $0 $0 0 $0.00 $0-00
A99 Zones 0 $0 $0 0 $0.00 1 $0.00
V01-30& VE Zones 0 $0 $0 0 $0.00' $0.00
V Zones 0 $0 $0 0 $0.00 $0.00
D Zones 3 $3,831 $705,000 0 $0.00 $0.00
B,C& X Zone
Standard 57 $52,889 $17,360,500 6 $2,877.70 $960.00
Preferred 83 $49,683 $28,988,000 0 $0.00 $0.00
Total 1,028 $1,159,357 $267,620,800 61 $65,117.97 $11,270.00
- 24 -
City of Morgan Hill
The City of Morgan Hill is located within South Santa Clara County between the City of San Jose and
the City of Gilroy; Morgan Hill is about 65 miles south of San Francisco. The city has an approximate
population of 45,952 residents with an area of 8,206 acres or approximately 13 square miles, with the
following breakdown in land use:
a. Commercial 705 acres (10.8 percent)
b. Industrial 718 acres (11.0 percent)
C. Mixed-Use 238 acres (3.6 percent)
d. Open Space 1,328 acres (20.3 percent)
e. Public Facilities 301 acres (4.6 percent)
f. High-Density Res. (6 to 12 DU/ac.) 242 acres (3.7 percent)
g. Medium-Density Res. (up to 7 DU/ac) 744 acres (11.4 percent)
h. Low-Density Res. (0 to 4 DU/ac) 2,259 acres (34.6 percent)
Flood Hazard Under the current FIRMs, the FEMAFloodHazardAreas-Morgan Hill
City of Morgan Hill has approximately 643
structures (as of 2018) in the Special Flood y San Jose
o�As Y� a Ln Aes GEC
Hazard Area (SFHA). SFHAs are mainly in the
FEMA designated Zone A, AE, AH, and AO. Of
the total structures in the SFHA, 34 percent
a =�
(221 structures) are low-density residences,
31 percent (197 structures) are medium-density e,4
residences, and 15 percent (96 structures) are rF 'S,
high-density residences. There is one (1) main
creek, West Little Llagas Creek, which runs
through the west side of Morgan Hill and flows
south; it is along West Little Llagas Creek ` rganF°�`'
where residents and commercial properties are "" <�
susceptible to flooding. West Little Llagas �,hr° „`•\ y
Creek is tributary to Llagas Creek which x�'X
conveys water to the south to Gilroy and �rpe
eventually the Monterey Bay. `.•.
x• ,
Repetitive Loss Properties The city has four °' '
(4) repetitive loss properties with 19 structures
""
in the repetitive loss areas in FEMA designated "° "�1
ry �'r
Zone A, AE, AH, or AO zones.
si e z
C1- u,tWatwn rn _
twr.yNr rJ..mu,:w.rn„w rc.
IFNrvn NWEIJBCA 2020
City of Morgan Hill Special Flood Hazard Area(SFHA) Ak O Santa Clara County Cities Creeks `Valley Water
-25 -
City of Morgan Hill Flood Insurance Data (as of 11/02/20)
Insurance by Occupancy
Number of
Policies in Insurance in Closed Paid $of Closed Adjustment
Force Premium Force Losses Paid Losses Expense
Single Family 295 $252,228 $84,389,900 59 $341,180.11 $24,139-57
2-4Family 26 $31,752 $6,742,500 3 $36,652-84 $1,650.00
All other Residential 67 $40,040 $18,646,000 0 $0.00 $0.00
Non Residential 38 $104,181 $15,456,100 11 $233,120-31 $10,228-45
Total 426 $428,201 $125,234,500 73 $610,953.26 $36,018.02
Insurance by Zone
Number of
Policies in Insurance in Closed Paid $of Closed Paid Adjustment
Force Premium Force Losses Losses Expense
A01-30& AEZones 177 $272,444 $48,771,900 31 $396,189.98 $23,743-02
AZones 2 $7,110 $500,000 10 $53,522-39 $2,455.00
AO Zones 10 $12,082 $2,785,300 9, $50,199.67 $2,775-00
AHZones 22 $18,492, $5,629,200 0 $0.00 $0.00
AR Zones 0 $0 $0 0 $0.00 $0.00
A99 Zones 0 $0 $0 0 $0.00 $0.00
T.___. .___.
VOi-30& VE Zones 0 $O - - - $0 0 $0.00 $0.00.
V Zones 0 $0 $0 0, $0.00 $0.00
D Zones 0 $0 $0 0 $0.00 $0.00
B,C& X Zone
Standard 81 $63,729 $22,765,100, 15 $106,045.67 $5,500.00
Preferred 123 $50,983 $41,599,000 4 $2,469.44 $1,000.00
Total 415 $424,840 $122,050,500 69, $608,427.15 $35,473.02
- 26 -
City of Mountain View
Just over 12 square miles and home to approximately 82,739 residents, while the daytime population
exceeds 125,000. The size and population of Mountain View may be modest, yet it has a prominent
role on the world stage as the center of innovation for Silicon Valley, being the home to some of the
most prominent tech companies in the world as well as hundreds of startups. The vibrant downtown
draws people from all over the world to visit its shops and restaurants. The wonderful parks and
network of trails delight people of all ages.
Mountain View boasts strong safety and public education records and is considered one of the best
places to live in the Bay Area.
Flood Hazard Under the current FIRMS, the FEMA Flood Hazard Areas-Mountain View
City of Mountain View has 1,139 parcels in
the Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA). Palo San Jose
Alto
SFHAs are in FEMA designated Zones A, �
AE, AH, and AO (1 & 2). Stevens Creek,
Permanente Creek, Permanente Diversion .:
Channel, and Hale Creek all flow through the
City of Mountain View. The city is also
subject to tidal flooding from San Francisco
Bay.
SANTA
CLARA
Repetitive Loss Properties There are no `°"aT'r
repetitive loss properties in the City of
a.,, o
Mountain View. untaifMew
1.
Los ter^
Altos
Sunnyvale
Los ✓' o .. ~o«„o�-
Altos cn,M $f10
Hills a W
i&AtrtA „...,�
tutu
couNTY
LLB anvEMfFn JO:tl
O City of Mountain View j Special Flood Hazard Area(SFHA)
Santa Clara County Cities Creaks Volley Water
I
i
it
- 27-
I
City of Mountain View Flood Insurance Data (as of 11102120)
Insurance by Occupancy
Number of
Policies in Insurance In Closed Paid $of Closed Adjustment
Force Premium Force Losses Paid Losses Expense
Single Family 222 $132,091 $62,229,600 1 $274.58 $225.00
2.4 Family 61 $31,023 $14,412,000 0 $0.00 $0.00
All Other Residential 69 $63,971 $17,685,000 6 $10,645.22 $1,500.00
Non Residential 76 $170,634, $38,347,600 2 $0.00 $400.00
Total 428 $397,719 $132,674,200 9 $10,919.80 $2,125.00
Insurance by Zone
Number of
Policies in Insurance in Closed Paid $of Closed Paid Adjustment
Force Premium Force Losses Losses Expense
Ao1-30& AE Zones 45 $106,987 $22,290,300 1 $0.00 $275.00
'A Zones 1 $823 $76,000, 0 $0.00 $0.00
AO Zones 150 $190,528 $43,098,400 2 $2,450.59 $575.00
AHZones 5 $5,475 $1,277,100 0 $0.00 $0,00
AR Zones 0 $0 $0 0 $0.00 $0.00
A99 Zones 0 $0 $0 0 $0.00 $0.00
V01-30& VE Zones 0 $0 $0 0 $0.00 $0.00
V Zones 0 $0 $0 0 $0.00 $0.00
D Zones 0 $0 $0 0 $0.00 $0.00
B,C& X Zone
Standard 33 $32,030 $9,924,400 3 $5,653.35 $750.00
Preferred 87 $36,025 $28,823,000 0 $0.00 $0.00
Total 321 $371,868 $105,489,200 6 $8,103.94 $1,600.00
- 28 -
City of Palo Alto
The City of Palo Alto is located on the San Francisco Peninsula, at the southern end of San
Francisco Bay. The city is 35 miles south of San Francisco and 14 miles north of San Jose and at
the northern edge of Santa Clara County, between the cities of Mountain View and Menlo Park. The
city has a population of around 65,364 residents and encompasses 16,627 acres or approximately
26 square miles. Approximately 40 percent of this area is in parks and preserves and another 15
percent consists of agriculture and other open space uses. The remaining area is nearly completely
developed, with single-family uses predominating. Less than one (1) percent of the city's land area
consists of vacant, developable land.
Flood Hazard Under the current FIRMs, the FEMA Flood Hazard Areas-Palo Alto
City of Palo Alto has 4,889 structures in the
Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA). SFHAs SANMATEO
are mainly in FEMA designated zone A, AE, COUNTY
and AH. Of the total structures in the SFHA, Palo
Alto `
87 percent are single-family (1-4 units),
11 percent are multi-family (5 or more units),
and two (2) percent are commercial or non-
residential. The city has four(4) creeks, San
Francisquito Creek, Matadero Creek, Adobe r"
Creek, and Barron Creek, that flow to San
Francisco Bay. San Francisquito Creek Los c,
flows into San Francisco Bay, and Matadero / Altos L(.
Creek, Barron Creek and Adobe Creek flow 9 ,�,�,, 1
ub�. Los
into 600 acres Palo Alto Flood Basin. The !,'``k^y.;� Altos
flow of water from the flood basin to the bay 1 H,li5 =
passes through eight(8) box culverts
controlled by flap gates in the box culverts.
Specific areas that are susceptible to I— -- -
flooding are around San Francisquito Creekand San Francisco Bay, where the levees c M
Cupertino
are not built to FEMA standard for a 100-
year storm protection. The city had -
experienced flooding around San
Francisquito Creek in 1955 and 1998 when
water overtopped the levee and caused L� City of Palo Alto Special Flood Hazard Area(SFHA)
immense damage to properties. A Joint r_-� Santa Clara County Cities Creeks `ValLey Water
Powers Authority was established in the
year 2000 to provide flood protection for the
San Francisquito Watershed.
Repetitive Loss Properties There are five (5) repetitive loss areas in the city and there are 107
building structures on the five (5) repetitive loss areas.
- 29 -
City of Palo Alto Flood Insurance Data (as of 11102120)
Insurance by Occupancy
Number of
Policies inI Insurance in Closed Paid $of Closed Adjustment
Force Premium Force Losses Paid Losses Expense
Single Family 2 288. $2,649,633 $610,650,100 454 $8,574,374.891 $372,073.59'
2-4 Family 70 $37,070 $16,830,600 0 $0.00 $0.00
All Other Residential 394 $179,738 $85,876,800 12 $238,321.38 $8,625-00
Non Residential 96 $580,340 $45,317,000 14 $192,278.78 $8,162-56
Total 2,848 $3,446,781 $758,674,500 480 $9,004,975.05. $388,861.15
Insurance by Zone
Number of
Policies in Insurance in Closed Paid $of Closed Paid; Adjustment
Force Premium Force Losses Losses Expense
A01-30& AE Zones 1,282 $2,253,965 i $323,208,900 156 $3,469,136.56 $137,779.30
A Zones 38 $78 125; $9,262,300 27 $646,228.60; $24,191.23.
AO Zones 37 $37,0811 $9,607,900 159 $3,463,894.86; $141,374-06
AH Zones 762 $720,210 i $193,982,900 311 $323,129.25 $19,769.84
AR Zones 0 $0 $0 0 $0.00 $0.00'
A99 Zones 0 $0 $0 0 $0.00 .._. $0.00'
V01-30& VEZones 0, $0 $0 0 $0.00 $0.00
V Zones 0 $0 $0 0 $0.00 $0.00
D Zones 0 $0 $0 0 $0.00: $0.00
8,C& X Zone
Standard 184 $146,911 $50,442,400 27 $168,810.38 $10,787-74
Preferred 317 $151,274 $111,583,000 32 $247,978A31 $14,123.11
Total 2,620 $3,387,566 $698,087,400 432 $8,319,178.08 $348,025.28
- 30 -
City of San Jose
The City of San Jose is located at the southern tip of the San Francisco Bay. With a population
of 1,021,795 residents. San Jose is the third-largest city in California. The city encompasses
115,200 acres or approximately 180 square miles. Approximately 17 percent of this area is in
parks, agriculture, and other open space uses. Residential use is comprised of 34 percent single-
family, two (2) percent two-family, four(4) percent multi-family and one (1) percent mobile homes.
Other uses include four (4) percent in commercial, three (3) percent educational, and 10 percent in
industrial uses.
Flood Hazard Under the current FIRMS, the City of San Jose has approximately 20,000
structures in the Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA); 67 percent of these structures are single-
family residences
(1-4 units), 13 percent are multi-family (5 or more units), and 20 percent are other non-residential
uses, including commercial and industrial. These structures are located in FEMA flood zone
designations A, AE, AH and AO. There are two (2) main creeks/rivers that flow into the San
Francisco Bay, the Coyote Creek, and the Guadalupe River. The areas that flood San Jose are
from the many tributaries that drain into the Coyote Creek and the Guadalupe River.
Repetitive Loss Properties The City of San Jose has six (6) repetitive loss properties with a total
of 11 structures.
FEMA Flood Hazard Areas-North San Jose
SANTA CIA"
• ` ,% B rrressaC.' Y 1 'o�y, COUNTY
a'�'. �r• tl:arrl Fla' 6
o
Sunnyvale
-
Los Santa t °tM Hails
'ynlCm a ,'Valley
Altos Clara
Cupertino +a yr cot.: t\tea` s,q
�o� \ �/ Unpv dye — ^•
Camph�tl t Z s8fl .� Clio.rrC,k
n Jose
1'tvF+ra ere rT rl_Ta• r-.nror 1.A'n
Saratoga
I q^'erM roeMYr U la •n e-y
. .� 1Yrer;itV V x t lip J:tea T CtR"W1:'
a'1 u—.!ir•:.nlarnlavr 1:,;al.s�.aeGlry
!._I�r_IiU NOVENBER ffit0
Cl City of San Jose Spueial Flood Hazard Area(SFHA) Aneowlele6ah
C: I Santa Clara County Cites Creeks -!- o�ce.. `Vottey Water
�_ ...:t2JJI!'?gf:t:fl"H Y:aa:xlxvN•-r•:.rr_:al l'�:9':
- 31 -
FEMA Flood Hazard Areas-South San Jose
C
S-y-fl c 0. Crmif Cues .
Saialoga A• a g Sari �O •w ' .,
~ rn Jose eCry;{ c
r
Alopte dt� l�of Crefn
Serer;r i`, s°s. AYn n 4`
/ •'C"vr `
'AWit7Y4 C7NrG „ l a Rq.weir on
• Rescrvon
SANTA 'O4r Mr.bnn C' r _ v�ee�G1,
CRUZ
COUNTY
Lake a+taaa
lY tranKq slO'd dU4nller.NO qPr SrInWJ9 }S 1.: � � S `•"i
yYIrOMf ml)wtl1f r!KtYlrb b W r•M^q a t inp fj
rrgrawrq °s+orK Ir1fl,Nim • • .�. - 1 1- y,NW il, )[j a _
wr.aWeN fn M nsrnv Iw.i a u..Mwr Refervoi, i
ad av of do elzmra°roa twooOla _ - �. •'• __. Rln arrak
L� City of San Jose Special Flood Hazard Area(SFHA)
Santa Clara County Cities Creeks rR `Valley water
,�
City of San Jose Flood Insurance Data (as of 11102120)
Insurance by Occupancy _
Number of
Policies in Insurance in Closed Paid $of Closed Adjustment
Force Premium Force Losses Paid Losses] Expense
single Family 4,604 $3,780,947 $1,151,265,400 517 $6,404,404-92 $277,415.63
2-4Family + 531 $398,700 $127,607,700 76 $2,866,636.23 $111,65724
All OtherResidenti at; 996. $430,13.5 $228,028,600 22 $546,597.69 $17,692.42
Non Residential — 499 $1,243,952 $229,130,900 32 $710,402-65 $29,450-53
6,630 $5,853,734 $1,736,032,500 647 $10,528,041-49: $436,215.82,
Insurance by Zone
---- - Number of
Policies in Insurance in Closed Paid $of Closed Paid, Adjustment
Force Premium Force Losses Losses Expense
Zones 7 $1,349,929
$212,096,900
123
--7721— $162,791.30
A Zones 20 $48,250 $5,095,200 79 $725,661.42' $24,699.40
AO Zones l 21532 $Z576,621 $644,679,500 176 $2,674,644.82I- $135,066.19
AHZones 1,008 $831,852 $244,80%200 47 $239,089-26 $15,540.00
ARZones 0 $0 $0 0 $0.00 $0.00.
A99Zones 1 $703 $100,000 7 $31,082.76 $2,400.00
VOt-308 VEzones 0 $0 $0 0 WOO $0.00
VZones 0 $0 $0 0 $0.00, $0.00;
D zones 157 $325,262 $40,828,100 26. $378,470.93 $13,209.07
8,C a x zone ;
Standard 122 $116,773 $42,579,800 4; $175,631-38 $6,124.17j
Preferred 185 $120,513 $68,864,000 7 $9,456-96 $2,605.00
Total 4,782 $5,369,903 $1,259,052,700 469 $8,868,107.25 $362,435.13
- 32-
City of Santa Clara
The City of Santa Clara is located about 45 miles south of San Francisco. The city encompasses
roughly 12,352 acres, or 19.3 square miles, and has a population of approximately 130,365. The city is
categorized into areas consisting of approximately 43 percent residential, 27 percent commercial and
industrial, 11 percent office/research and development, 11 percent public/quasi-public, and six (6)
percent parks and open space, with the remaining area being categorized as vacant/unassigned.
FEMA Flood Hazard Areas-Santa Clara
Flood Hazard Under the current FIRMs, the City of
Santa Clara has 1,012 properties in the Special Milpitas
Flood Hazard Area (SFHA). SFHA are mainly in -
FEMA designated zone A, AE, AH, and AO. Of the
total properties in the SFHA, 50 percent are 1-4 ,w
family residential, 27 percent p y ( f
are multi-family 5 or a ,�
more families), and the remaining 23 percent are
non-residential areas. The city has four(4) -n
creeks/rivers: Calabazas Creek, Saratoga Creek, Sunnyvale San
San Tomas Aquino Creek, and Guadalupe River. f`
..._ Jose
The city has experienced flooding around Calabazas ,- "`a^° d
Creek and San Tomas Aquino Creek in 1983, 1986, Santa
and 1998 when water overtopped the levees and Clara d
caused significant damage to properties.
Repetitive Loss Properties The city does not have
repetitive loss properties. Gee
l W�
SANTA CIAant•
�A4.c COUNTY f
D= 4S f
m pnr••a,.4nr R,+a+a w
.vnN.p a ihmwq's
6EUEtl@ NP/Etlap13@0
(] City of Santa Cie. Special Flood Hazard Area(SFHA)
C3 Santa Clara County Cities Creeks `Valley Water
- 33-
City of Santa Clara Flood Insurance Data (as of 11102120)
Insurance by Occupancy
Number of
Policies in Insurance in Closed Paid $of Closed Adjustment
Force Premium Force Losses Paid Losses Expense
Single Family 375 $238,589 $102,884,800 25 $296,887.02 $8,865.00
2-4 Family 111 $48,378 $27,438,000 2 $880.40 $150.00
All Other Residential 202 $134,805 $55,039,000 4 $0.00 $590.00
Non Residential '112 $237,210 $65,019,000 1 $11,985.67 $750.00
Total 800 $658,982 $250,380,800 32 $309,753.09 $10,355.00
Insurance by Zone
Number of
Policies in Insurance in Closed Paid $of Closed Paid Adjustment
Force Premium Force Losses Losses Expense
A01-30& AEZones 2 $13,274 $1,000,000 0 $0.00 $0.00
A Zones 0 $0 $0 14 $176,693.06 $4,745.00
AO,Zones 240 $252,011 $67,834,400 6 $880.40 $800.00
AHZones 131 $192,854 $45,846,400 3 $266.54 $160.00
AR Zones 0 $0 $0 0 $0.00 $0.00
A99 Zones 0 $0 $0 0 $0.00 $0.00
V01-30& VE Zones 0 $0 $0 0 $0.00 $0.00
V Zones 0 $0 $0 0 $0.00 $0.00
D Zones 1 $2,367 $500,000 0 $0.00 $0.00
B.C& X Zone
Standard 20 $22,304 $6,168,100 3 $988.46 $335.00
Preferred 135 $109,191 $52,631,000 4 $253,483.06 $6,495.00
Total 529 $592,001 $173,979,900 30 $432,311.52 $12,535.00
- 35 -
City of Saratoga
The City of Saratoga is located on the west side of the Santa Clara Valley, directly west of San Jose,
in the San Francisco Bay Area. The city is 48 miles south of San Francisco and 14 miles west of San
Jose and at the southwest edge of Santa Clara County, between the cities of Cupertino and Los
Gatos. The city has a population of 30,153 residents and encompasses 8,179 acres or
approximately 13 square miles. Approximately 40 percent of this area is in parks and preserves, and
another 15 percent consists of agriculture and other open space uses. The remaining area is nearly
completely developed, with single-family uses predominating. Less than one (1) percent of the city's
land area consists of vacant, developable land.
FEMA Flood Hazard Areas-Saratoga
Flood Hazard Under the current FIRMs, the --
City of Saratoga has 128 structures in the `� L
Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA). SFHA San Jose
Cupertino -
are mainly in FEMA designated zone A, AE,
and AH. Of the total structures in the SFHA, a
98 percent are single-family (1-4 units), and
two (2) percent are commercial or non- i
residential. The city has six (6) creeks:
Calabazas, Rodeo, Saratoga, Wildcat,
Vasona, and San Tomas. In general, flooding rLL Saratoga f e
from these creeks has been confined to the o�
relatively narrow flood plain directly adjacent _` a � ��"`
r °E �. / !
to the creeks. amp
Repetitive Loss Properties There are no ; LL
repetitive loss properties within the city. *
Monte
Sereno
` n,y e.
i 3
Y
.1�
Los
Gatos
WtM MOVEABFA 101O
0 Cfty of Saratoga _i Special Flood Hazard Area(SFHA)
t= Santa Clara County Cities Creeks ValLey Water
-36 -
City of Saratoga Flood Insurance Data (as of 11102120)
Insurance by Occupancy
Number of
Policies in Insurance in Closed Paid $of Closed I Adjustment
Force I Premium I Force Losses Paid Losses Expense_ `553,675.76 `
_�- 12,0$0.00
SSingle Family 75 $•.4,033 $23,780,100 _ 18L
f2�Family 1 $421 $350,000. 0 $0.00 v- $0.00
IAII Other Res�denUal - 2 $2,881! $739,700I 0 $0.00 $0.00
Non Residential 3; $7,5641 $2150,000 01 $0.00 $0.00
s_.-..______ .L .. _ ___ �
Total - �811 $64,8991 $27,019,800 18' $53,675.76 $12,075-00�
i _ --.----------L.._-
Insurance by Zone
i Number of
Policies in i Insurance in Closed Paid $of Closed Paid! Adjustment
Force Premium Force Losses Losses Expense
A01-30& AEZoms 16 $28,614 $4,423,100 3 $17,303.34i $1,025-00
AZones 1 $1,981 $250,000 4 $4,888.781 $735-00
Ao zones -- 0 $0 $0 0 $0.00 $0-00
�-— - --- -- --- -- --- --- ---- ---- --
AN Zones 3 0 $0 I $0 0 $0.00, $0.00
AR Zones 0 $0I $0 0 $0.00 $0.00
A9 Zones y 0 $0 j $0 0 $0.00 $0.00
v01-30& VE Zones 0 $0 $0 0 $0.001 $0.00:
v Zones 0 so' $0 0 $0.00 $0-00;
D Zones 0 $0 $0 0 $0.00 $0.00 1
B,c 8 x zone 9 $8 425 $2,944,700 8 1 Standard ! $4,488.411 $1,120.001
Preferred I 55 $25,879 $19,402,000 3 $26,995.23 $9,195-00,
_----------{
Total---_r -- 81 $64,899 - $27,019,800 18 $53,675-76 $12,075-001
- 37 -
City of Sunnyvale
The City of Sunnyvale is one of the major cities that make up the Silicon Valley located in the San
Francisco Bay Area. It is the second-highest populated city within Santa Clara County, with a
population of 152,703. Sunnyvale is bordered by portions of San Jose to the north, Moffett Federal
Airfield to the northwest, Mountain View to the west, Los Altos to the southwest, Cupertino to the
south, and Santa Clara to the east.
The city's land area is approximately 22.87 square miles. Of this, 15.47 square miles are considered
developable, as follows: 0.3 percent vacant, 54.7 percent residential, 22.4 percent office/industrial,
6.2 percent retail/service, 7.4 percent parks/open space, and 6.2 percent other uses.
Flood Hazard Under the current FIRMS, FEMAFloodHazardAreas-Sunnyvale
Sunnyvale has 1,270 parcels that lie within a
Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA). SFHA's
GaK,4
in Sunnyvale are: Zones A, and V.
Approximately 20 percent, or 254 parcels, are
zoned for non-residential use. The remaining
San Jose
parcels within the SFHA are primarily single- 3;family (1-4 units) residential (997 parcels), I SANTA -
with only 19 parcels being multi-family CuNA "^°
COUNTY
a E\
residential (5+ units).
z _
Areas subject to flooding in Sunnyvale are, in ""E �y` a `
general, the northern portion of the city, "'°Y WI
selected areas flanking the East and West s°°oyv s
Channels, Calabazas Creek, El Camino Real, a »°yF �;F Z �° E i
`A' ---and US Highway 101. Both the East and
West Channels and Calabazas Creek flow
directly into the San Francisco Bay, which _ Santa
abuts the northerly boundary of the city. ` Clara
Los
Repetitive Loss There are no repetitive loss Altos y
properties within the City of Sunnyvale. _!
4M
p: J°peso 5err.a CNannal D D5 II
y Cupertino
�:I:: NOVEI.eEA 10:9
Cly of Sunnyvale Special Flood Hazard Area(SFHA)
L"] Santa Clara County Cifies - Creeks `Valley Water
- 38 -
City of Sunnyvale Flood Insurance Data (as of 11102120)
Insurance by Occupancy
Number of
Policies in Insurance in Closed Paid $of Closed Adjustment
Force Premium Force Losses Paid Losses Expense
Single Family 398 $433,459 $100,277,400 7 $11,268.56 $2,640.00
2-4Family 198 $101,139 $48,134,000 0 $0.00 $0.00
All other Residential 130 $114,516 $39,682,300 0 $0.00 $0.00
Non Residential 62 $261,572 $31,407,200 3 $57,386.63 $2,525.00
Total 788 $910,686 $219,500,900 10 $68,655.19 $5,165.00
Insurance by Zone
Number of
Policies in Insurance in Closed Paid $of Closed Paid Adjustment
Force Premium Force Losses Losses Expense
A01-30& AEZones 255 $543,251 $67,781,700 6' $62,845.76 $4,490.00
AZones 3 $6,163 $750,000 0 $0.00 $0.00
AO Zones 134 $164,907, $38,067,100 1 $0.00 $125.00
AN Zones 0 $0 $0 0 $0.00 $0.00
AR Zones 0 $0 $0 0 $0.00 $0.00.
A99Zones 0 $0 $0 0 $0.00 $0.00
V01-30& VE Zones 0 $0 $0 0 $0.00 $0.00
V Zones 0 $0 $0 0 $0-00 $0.00
D Zones 0 $0 $0 0 $0.00 $0.00
B.C& X Zone
Standard 133 $110,107 $36,132,500 2 $5,809.43, $550.00
Preferred 141 $61,947 $44,123,000' 1 $0.00 $0.00
Total 666 $886,375 $186,854,300 10 $68,655.19 $5,165.00
- 39 -
V. TARGET AUDIENCES
The PPI Committee identified several key audiences that can be divided into categories:
1)those who are at risk of flood impacts; and 2) those who are a conduit to those who are
at risk of flood impacts or"messengers to other target audiences."
Priority Audiences and Areas:
1. Community at Large
The PPI Committee recognized that the entire community that lives and/or works
in Santa Clara County is subject to impacts due to flooding. CRS typically
focuses on residential flooding; however, in the San Francisco Bay Area, flooding
of businesses and roads is also significant.
Within the community-at-large, there are several sub-communities:
Multi-lingual Communities:Within the community-at-large, there are non-English
language speakers and non-US citizens. More than 112 languages are spoken
in the Bay Area; however, the top three non-English languages are Spanish,
Vietnamese, and Mandarin Chinese.
Groups with Special Evacuation Needs:Within the community-at-large, access
and functional need individuals require special evacuation support, such as
seniors and fixed or low-income residents. These groups are of great concern
during a flooding event and would need additional time, resources, and logistics
to support them.
New Residents, Visitors, and Tourists:Within the community-at-large, there are
residents, visitors, and tourists who are new to the area or visiting for a short
duration and may be unfamiliar with the hazards specific to this region. They
may be unaware of flood risks, the resources available to them, and where to
locate them. Additionally, new residents are less likely to be aware of sandbag
locations and how to flood-proof a structure.
2. Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) Communities
The PPI Committee identified several geographic areas that are particularly
prone to flooding. This includes areas of Mountain View and Milpitas that are
prone to shallow flooding; areas of Mountain View and Palo Alto that are prone to
riverine flooding, especially north of Highway 101; areas subject to tidal flooding;
Los Altos, near Permanente and Hale creeks; areas of Palo Alto prone to
flooding from San Francisquito Creek; flood-prone areas of San Jose, including
Alviso; Morgan Hill, especially the downtown area; the South County corridor
between Morgan Hill and the county line.
A map of each community SFHA can be found on each community-specific page
under Section IV: Communities' Flood Hazard Areas.
Residents and Businesses in the Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA):The offices
of the largest employers of Silicon Valley form a ring around the edge of the San
Francisco Bay, located in areas that flood. Consequently, thousands of people
-40 -
work in the zone subject to tidal flooding, driving into and out of the tidal zone
every day on their way to and from work. Street flooding can impact workers'
commutes. Major thoroughfares can be blocked by flooding, impeding access to
residents, schools, hospitals, and workplaces.
Those at risk of flood impacts include property owners, renters, and workers. For
people who work in the tidal zone, family emergency plans are critical.
Individuals should have flood-safe routes identified to get safely out of the tidal
flooding zone. For residents who live in the
FEMA-designated SFHA, the emergency plan ensures individuals and families
are prepared for a flood event.
Additionally, it is important for our communities to protect their property by
purchasing flood insurance for home and business locations. Most homeowner
insurance policies do not cover damage from natural disasters, such as flooding.
Therefore, advising residents to purchase flood insurance to cover the contents
in their homes is a critical message for this community.
Within the SFHA, there are several sub-communities:
Low Lying Areas, Along Rivers and Creeks:Within the SFHA, there are low-lying
areas along rivers and creeks at risk for flooding.
Coastal Communities at Risk for Sea Level Rise/Tsunamis:Within the SFHA,
there are coastal communities at risk for sea-level rise and tsunamis. These
areas are identified through the base flood elevation. The bayfront cities in Santa
Clara County with areas subject to fluvial and tidal flooding are Palo Alto,
Mountain View, Sunnyvale, Santa Clara, San Jose, and Milpitas.
Repetitive Loss (RL) Areas:Within the SFHA, there are a few repetitive loss
areas located in the County of Santa Clara and the cities of Morgan Hill, Palo
Alto and San Jose. Additional information on these areas can be found on each
community-specific page under Section IV: Communities' Flood Hazard Areas.
3. Messengers to Other Target Audiences (Organizations and Businesses
Serving the Community)
Lenders, real estate agencies or boards, developers/contractors, and appraisers
all serve as a messenger to people who are at risk of flooding as they provide
their respective business service. In addition, organizations or agencies that
serve at-risk communities include PG&E, American Red Cross, Emergency
Assistance Network(EAN), Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT),
neighborhood associations, schools, churches, hospitals, and social services
agencies. These messenger organizations and businesses function as another
target audience for the PPI.
As government agencies work to reduce flood risk, they need to provide these
messengers with the best information available and tailor the message to the
County of Santa Clara's needs. In other words, the PPI needs to include training
that convey the information that the messengers will need. This will be
implemented by presentations to groups, website postings and newsletter
- 41 -
articles. While all the messages need to be conveyed to messengers from time
to time, some messages are more pertinent than others. For instance, lenders
need a detailed understanding of flood insurance, but neighborhood associations
would be more interested in how to protect people and property from a flood.
All these audiences can be reached through a combination of messages from
Valley Water, the cities, the county, and the American Red Cross.
VI. OTHER PUBLIC INFORMATION EFFORTS
To develop an effective PPI, the committee inventoried a broad sample of current
initiatives, programs, and training that focus on raising the community's awareness of
local flood hazards and encouraging them to take action that will reduce risks (see
Table 2).
Outside activity by agencies and organizations in Santa Clara County relating to flood
protection generally falls into one of four categories: 1)training and courses;
2) community-based engagement events; 3) traditional and social media messaging,
and 4) mailers. Many community events feature at least one agency providing
information on disaster preparedness and safety. The information in all four categories
is usually provided on websites as well, so it is readily available.
Additionally, phone and tablet apps have become particularly popular. The American
Red Cross has developed a series of free apps related to disaster awareness such as
flood protection, first aid, earthquake, and fire. The content of this messaging usually
covers general hazard awareness and safety, with an increasing emphasis on
preparedness, planning, and mitigation; however, the information can be applied to flood
preparedness and safety.
-42 -
Table 2: Other Public Information Efforts
Agency/Organization Project/Effort Message
American Red Cross . Training: Personal preparedness, organizational General
Silicon Valley Chapter preparedness. Audience:Adults, Seniors, hazard/disaster
Youth/Kids. awareness, safety,
• Community events: Regularly staff booths at and preparedness.
community events and company health fairs to
provide information about American Red Cross The importance of
services and preparedness. preparing a family
• Social media messaging: Facebook, Twitter posts emergency plan.
with updates on current disaster responses,
seasonal tips on safety, preparedness.
• Website: Downloadable materials.
Other: Smart device apps.
Collaborating Agencies . Training: Monthly meetings, workshops, annual Target CBOs, FBOs
Disaster Relief Effort conference, which include training sessions. and nonprofit service
(CADRE) . Social media messaging. providers.
• Website: http://www.cadresv.org. Organization disaster
• Other: Newsletter. readiness and
resiliency.
Catholic Charities of . Training: Disaster preparedness workshops. Disaster readiness
Santa Clara County and preparedness.
Community • Training: Personal preparedness. Disaster readiness
Emergency Response and preparedness.
Training CERT
Department of Water . Training: Flood manager trainings, workshops, Flood preparedness
Resources California Flood Preparedness prep meetings and safety
(Aug-Oct). messaging.
• Community events: California Flood
Preparedness Week(CFPW)every October.
Social media messaging: Social media toolkits for
CFPW, social media messaging.
Website: Downloadable materials, toolkits, tips on
flood safety: https:Hwater.ca.gov/What-We-
Do/Flood-Preparedness.
• Other:YouTube channel.
Federal Emergency . Training: Online trainings. Disaster readiness
Management Agency . Community events: Community events in and preparedness.
(FEMA) partnership with local city/county.
• Social media messaging: Facebook, Twitter,
social media toolkits, smart device app: FEMA
app.
Website: https://www.Ready.gov/floods.
• Other:Youth education materials, YouTube
channel.
-43-
NOAA • Training: Online webinars. Flood preparedness
• Social media messaging: Facebook, Twitter, Smart and safety messaging.
device app: NOAA Weather Radio.
• Website: Downloadable materials:
https://www.weather.gov/safety/flood.
• Other: Youth education materials, YouTube channel.
Pacific Gas & Electric • Other: Utility bill inserts, radio safety ads. Safety tips related to
PG&E winter storms.
Santa Clara County • Website: Downloadable materials: Disaster readiness
Department of Public https://www.sccgov.org/sites/phd/hi/phep/Pages/prep- and preparedness.
Health home.aspx.
Santa Clara County . Website: Downloadable materials: Disaster readiness
Office of Emergency https://emergencvmanagement.sccgov.org/home. and preparedness.
Management • Other: Smart device app: ReadySCC.
San Jose Fire • Training: Personal preparedness. Disaster readiness
Department(Office of and preparedness.
Emer ency Services
Silicon Valley . Training: Personal preparedness. Disaster readiness
Independent Living and preparedness.
Center SVILC
US Army Corps of . Training: Online webinars. Flood preparedness
Engineers . Website: Downloadable materials: and safety messaging.
https://www.usace.army.mil/.
• Other: Youth education materials, YouTube channel.
Valley Water . Training: Virtual Flood Preparedness workshop, Flood preparedness
covering FEMA SFHA maps, stream gauges tools, and safety messaging.
community flooding hot spot awareness, flood
insurance options, communication plans, emergency
kits, and alerts and tips for avoiding floodwaters.
• Community events: Flood awareness materials
distributed at community fairs and events.
• Social media messaging: Extensive multilingual flood
awareness campaign with multilingual flood
awareness videos and posts on Facebook,
Instagram, Twitter, Nextdoor and YouTube, TV, radio,
Pandora, print and digital newspapers, as well as
email newsletter.
• Website: Flood awareness blogs, videos, links, and
preparedness resources available at
httip://www.vaIIeywater.org/floodready.
• Other: Mailers—Multi-lingual mailer with flood
preparedness tips and resources distributed to
52,000 homes and 15 cities every winter.
VII. COMMUNICATION STRATEGY, PROJECTS, AND INITIATIVES
The focus of the Multi-Jurisdictional PPI (5-Year Plan) is to encourage flood
preparedness best practices for the following key audiences:
• The community-at-large;
• Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) communities; and
• Messengers to other target audiences.
-44-
The committee selected nine (9)topics with messages for each topic that need to be
disseminated to the various audiences. The first six (6) are the same as the six (6) priority
messages for the CRS program and included several public messages to select from. Three (3)
additional topics were added by the committee and include one (1) priority message each (see
Table 3).
Table 3: CRS Priority Messages
Topic Topic message Public Message
Number select one message per topic)
• Know your flood risk
• Contact your floodplain manager to find out if
TOPIC#1 Know your flood hazard your property is in a floodplain
• Check if your home or business is in a
Special Flood Hazard Area
• Get flood insurance ahead of time
TOPIC#2 Insure your property for your • Insure your property
flood hazard • There is a 30-day waiting period for the
policy to take place
Protect people from the flood Put your 3-day emergency kit together
TOPIC#3 hazard Follow evacuation orders
• Learn the best route to high ground
• Protect your home from flood threats
Protect your property from the Prepare your home
TOPIC#4 flood hazard • Sandbags can offer protection against a foot
or less of floodwater
• Get sandbags before a flood
• Build responsibly in floodplains
TOPIC#5 Build responsibly • Comply with development requirements
• Check with your city/county floodplain
manager before you build
• Keep creeks clean and flowing
TOPIC#6 Protect natural floodplain 0 Keep debris and trash out of our streams
functions • Don't pollute, dump, or drain anything in
creeks
Additional Outreach Topic Messages
(only one message per topic)
TOPIC#7 Develop an emergency plan 0 Develop an emergency plan
TOPIC#8 Download disaster apps 0 Download disaster emergency apps
Understand shallow flooding Understand shallow flooding risks-don't
TOPIC#9 risks—don't drive through drive through standing water
standing water
- 45 -
Flood Response Preparation Projects:
City of Santa Clara's Flood Response Program (FRP) provides a road map for city staff in
various departments to quickly distribute prescribed messages through several social media
outlets before, during, and after a storm event. These messages serve to remind residents to
prepare for an impending storm by cleaning up fallen leaves, picking up sandbags from the city,
and preparing emergency kits for their household. During a storm or flood event, these
messages inform residents how to stay safe. After a storm or a flood, these messages relay
essential safety information and provide resources for reporting issues to the city or appropriate
agencies.
1. Before a storm/flood: The City of Santa Clara's Office of Emergency Service
notifies all departments whether localized or area-wide flooding is anticipated.
The fire Department, Police Department, and the Department of Public Works
post their pre-approved messages and informs the City Manager's Office.
2. During a storm/flood: The City of Santa Clara's Manager's Office and the Office
of Emergency Services authorize public outreach activities during a flood event
when the Emergency Operations Center(EOC) is activated. Specifically, for
storms, each department posts its pre-approved message that applies to the
current situation. In this situation, the City Manager's Office does not need to
give authorization, but they must be informed.
3. After a flood: The City of Santa Clara's Manager's Office and Office of
Emergency Services authorize public outreach activities following a flood event.
Additionally, many of our communities are developing their Flood Response Programs (FRP)
message plan. One idea was to develop a regionwide FRP messaging plan (listed as `Other
New Initiatives'Item No. 9), which would encompass all the participating communities.
-46 -
Table 4: Flood Response Preparation Priority Messages:
Topic Message Public Message
can select multiple messages per topic)
Messaging Before A Flood
TOPIC #1: Know Your floodplain manager can provide you with flood insurance
your flood hazard information and may have a FEMA Elevation Certificate for your
property on file.
Prepare your house for the storm by gathering building materials like
TOPIC#4: Protect plywood, plastic sheeting, and sandbags.
your property from Follow the sandbag guide to construct barriers to stop floodwater from
the flood hazard entering your home.
• To further protect your home from localized flooding, make sure to
kee the gutter in front of your house clean.
TOPIC#6: Protect If you see a storm drain clogged/flooded or tree branches down,
natural floodplain please call (number).
functions Place fallen leaves into your clean green container instead of blowing
them onto the street andpick-up litter that can clog up storm drains.
TOPIC#7: Develop Make a family emergency plan and emergency kit for your home and
an emergency plan car.
• Si n up for AlertSCC.
Messaging During A Flood
TOPIC#2: Insure 0 Collect your valuable documents, such as property insurance.
your property for your . If you need to evacuate, take your property insurance documents and
flood hazard their contact number with you.
• If advised to evacuate, do so immediately.
• Turn off utilities at the main switches or valves.
TOPIC#3: Protect Disconnect electrical appliances.
people from the flood Do not touch electrical equipment if you are wet or standing in water.
hazard Check city/county website for the most up-to-date information on street
closure, current situation, available shelter, and press releases.
Tune to radio stations KCBS(740 AM), KGO(810 AM), and KLIV
1590 AM for emergency information.
TOPIC#9: • Avoid fast-moving water.
Understand shallow • "Turn Around Don't Drown."
flooding risks—Don't 0 For puddles, let off the gas, keep the steering wheel straight, and don't
drive through slam on the brakes.
standing water . Do not drive into flooded areas.
- 47 -
Messaging After A Flood
• Do not walk in floodwater.
• Stay away from a downed power line and report them to Silicon Valley
Power's 24-hour hotline at 408-615-5640.
• Return home only when authorities indicate it is safe.
TOPIC#3: Protect Don't attempt to re-enter your home before then, or you may be at risk
people from the flood of the building collapsing.
hazard • Check the city/county website for the most up-to-date information.
• Check the city/county website for the most up-to-date information on
street closure, current situation, available shelter, and press releases.
• Listen for news reports on whether the community's water supply is
safe to drink. Check on the city/county website or contact City Water
Utility Department at number to confirm.
TOPIC#5: Build • Get a permit for flood damage repairs to avoid future damages. The
responsibly city/county city/county has a permit process to help you get back into your house.
TOPIC#6: Protect If you see a storm drain clogged/flooded or tree branches down,
natural floodplain
functions please call (number).
Outreach Projects:
Numerous outreach projects have been carried out over the past several years. Since they
match the key audiences and are an effective means to disseminate the nine (9)topic
messages, they will continue. Each outreach project includes one or more of the key messages.
These projects are also reflected in Appendix A: CRS Creditable Outreach and Flood Response
Projects by Community and Appendix B: Additional CRS Outreach Projects by Community
(Non-Creditable Activities for Activity 330).
1. Outreach and Flood Response Projects by CRS Community
a. County of Santa Clara: The County of Santa Clara's website includes a
Santa Clara County "Storm and Flood Information and Resources"
webpage available for all residents in the county:
https://www.sccgov.org/sites/opa/Pages/storm.aspx. The storm and flood
information page redirects residents to Valley Water's Flood Ready
webpage, National Weather Service, American Red Cross, and
www.floodsmart.gov, as useful resources.
The County has a Consumer Protection Division's website that also
includes a "Flood Safety Information" webpage. The site redirects
residents to Valley Water's Access Valley Water customer portal for
reporting debris in creeks and flood-ready webpage and www.Ready.gov.
Additionally, there are multi-language 'Flood Safety Information'
documents for resident's use and other resourceful links:
https:Hcpd.sccgov.org/flood-safety-information.
Every fall, the County sends annual letters to the properties in the
unincorporated section of the county's mapped repetitive loss areas, as
required by FEMA and is a prerequisite for a CRS Class 9.
-48 -
As needed, the County's Office of Emergency Management shares Valley
Water's digital social media resource links during the flood season. The
"Floods Follow Fires. Are you Ready?" and "Got Sandbags" messages
redirect to Valley Water's website and all messages are available in
English, Spanish, Chinese, and Vietnamese. Messages are used on
social media, short-form newsletter, short-form email, web, and Nextdoor.
The County's Office of Emergency Management's website has a "Be a
Prepared Community Member" webpaqe that includes emergency
preparedness information including, signing up for AlertSCC, making an
emergency plan, downloading the ReadySCC App, building an
emergency supply kit, packing a go-bag, checking on neighbors, "Do One
Thing," 12-month preparedness calendar, and get CERT trained.
https://emergencvmanagement.sccgov.org/be-prepared-community-
member.
The County's Office of Emergency Management's website has a "People
with Access and Functional Needs (AFN)" webpage that provides
resources to help enhance independence and readiness through
emergency preparedness:
https://emergencvmanagement.sccqov.org/people-access-and-functional-
needs-afn.
b. City of Cupertino: The City of Cupertino publishes annual flood notice in
the local newsletter(The Cupertino Scene, a community-wide newsletter)
that highlights nine (9) priority topics and is mailed to all residential and
commercial properties within Cupertino's jurisdiction. These notices
provide information on flood risks and flood safety and inform property
owners on ways to protect themselves and their property. The notice is
typically published before or at the beginning of the rainy season (October
or November issue).
Although there are no longer any repetitive loss properties within the city,
the City of Cupertino continues to send annual letters to these properties,
highlighting five (5) of the nine (9) priority topics. The letter is typically
mailed mid-year.
In addition, Valley Water conducts several general and informational
outreach projects that distribute materials countywide, highlighting the
nine (9) priority topics that Cupertino can take credit for. Some of these
outreach materials include their latest Flood Ready campaign brochures
and flood kits, FEMA flood-related materials, which have also been
distributed at various Cupertino events/facilities.
The City of Cupertino recognizes the robust social media campaign led by
Valley Water and has linked the city's main flood preparation webpage,
`Citizens Preparedness' to Valley Water's Flood Ready webpage.
The City's Office of Emergency Services also hosts a "Citizen
Preparedness" webpage that includes emergency preparedness
-49 -
information for different types of disaster such as floods. The webpage
also includes re-directing to Valley Water's Flood Ready webpage.
https://www.cupertino.org/residents/communitV-services-
prog ram s/eme rge ncy-services/citizen-pre pared ness.
Cupertino's Public Works Department and Community Development
Department's Building Division also work closely together to provide
Flood Protection Assistance, Propertv Protection Advice, site visits, and
general flood protection assistance to interested community members.
Advice and assistance are provided one-on-one, either over the phone,
face-to-face at the public counter or through comments related to
development review. Site visits, if requested, are also conducted, and
scheduled directly with qualified city staff.
The city participates in yearly clean-up events: the annual National River
Clean-up Day (each May) and Coastal Clean-up Day (each September)
and coordinates volunteers. Staff coordinate with Valley Water on both
these clean-up efforts. The city also participates in Valley Water's Adopt-
a-Creek Program.
On a project-specific basis, the city provides homeowners and business
owners of active construction sites a Winter Preparedness notification
that informs them that during the winter season, they need to winterize
their project(s) site. Certain soil disturbance activities are not allowed
during the rainy season.
C. City of Gilroy: The City of Gilroy recognizes Valley Water's Flood
Awareness Campaign and has linked the city's main flood webpage to
Valley Water's Flood Ready webpage. In addition, all the residents in the
FEMA designated SFHA receive Valley Water's annual floodplain mailer.
This mailer in kept in a static location at City Hall for residents to pick-up
and is also distributed at various events throughout the year.
Gilroy participates in two fair/events. The Gilroy Garlic Festival, held
typically at the end of July and the city's Public Works Week Community
Open House, held typically in May. Both support promoting PPI topic
messages—distributes flood preparedness materials.
d. City of Los Altos: Annually, the City of Los Altos sends a letter, along
with a "Are You Prepared for a Flood in Your Neighborhood?" brochure,
each fall to property owners in the SFHA to inform them their property is
within the SFHA, flood risk reduction information, requirements for
development standards within the SFHA, availability of flood insurance,
and where additional information can be found. The mailer contains
information on the following topic messages:
• What to do before, during, and after
• Recognize the natural and beneficial functions of floodplains
• History of flooding in Los Altos
• Determine if your property is located in an area subject to flooding
- 50 -
• Purchase flood insurance
• Maintain drainage channels and pipes free of obstruction and debris
• Protect your property from flood damage
• Know floodplain development standards
• Comply with development requirements
• Plan for emergencies— Prepare a family disaster plan, make an
emergency kit, sign-up for AlertSCC.
Also, in the fall, each year, two (2) newspapers ads are published in the
`Los Altos Town Crier,' which contain similar information as the "Are You
Prepared for a Flood in Your Neighborhood?" brochure including flood
insurance information.
e. Town of Los Altos Hills: The Town of Los Altos Hills hosts a "Flood
Information" webpage on the town's website. This webpage includes
information on the PPI nine topics, including a supporting message. The
webpage redirects to the following key resource websites:
www.vaIleywater.org/floodready, www.floodsmart.org, www.ready.gov,
and www.weather.gov.
The town recognizes Valley Water's Flood Awareness Campaign and has
linked the town's main flood webpage to Valley Water's Flood Ready
webpage. In addition, all residents in the FEMA designated SFHA
receiving Valley Water's annual floodplain mailer; the mailer in kept at a
static location in the town hall for residents to pick-up.
The town's "Our Town" quarterly newsletter(fall issue) includes
information on flood preparedness. The newsletter is mailed out town-
wide and is also available online on the town's website.
The town participates in annual clean-up events: National River Clean-up
Day(each May) and Coastal Clean-up Day (each September) and
coordinates volunteers. They coordinate with Valley Water on both these
clean-up efforts. The city also participates in Valley Water's
Adopt-a-Creek Program.
Annually, the town hosts two events - Earth Day (held in the spring)and
the Town Picnic (held late summer). The town distributes various flood
preparedness and safety materials at these events, including Valley
Water's annual floodplain mailer and promotional item (e.g., emergency
starter kits, Get Flood Ready Emergency Supply Checklist tote bags,
etc.). Additionally, Valley Water hosts a table at the Town Picnic event
and distributes various flood readiness materials and information (i.e.
FEMA flood insurance information, ReadySCC, and American Red Cross
Flood apps, AlertSCC, sandbag guidelines, flood protection project-
specific notices, FEMA NFIP materials, and preparedness
activity/coloring books, etc.)to the public.
- 51 -
f. Town of Los Gatos: The Town of Los Gatos' website encourages
residents and businesses to purchase flood insurance and redirects
visitors to www.floodsmart.gov.
The town recoqnizes Valley Water's Flood Awareness Campaign and has
linked the town's main flood webpage to Valley Water's Flood Ready
webpage. In addition, all residents in the FEMA designated SFHA
receiving Valley Water's annual floodplain mailer; the mailer in kept at a
static location in the town hall for residents to pick-up.
g. City of Milpitas: Annually, the City of Milpitas mails out a brochure,
"Flood Public Advisory" during the months of December or January to
residents and businesses within SFHA and the community at large. The
brochure promotes flood safety and flood preparedness messaging,
including purchase flood insurance, SFHA, flood warning information,
illegal dumping, ongoing flood mitigation projects, the city's participation
in the CRS, elevation certificates, Flood Protection Assistance, permit
requirements for floodplain development, floor elevations, substantial
improvements, and substantial damage, and provides contact information
for a number of flood-related issues. The city's "Flood Public Advisory"
brochure, along with Valley Water's "Are You Flood Ready?"floodplain
mailers are posted in the public libraries and at City Hall.
The city offers Flood Protection Assistance, Property Protection Advice
and provides in-person flood risk consultation at the front counter.
Anyone seeking flood zoning and flood mitigation information, can talk to
a Registered Civil Engineer and/or a CFM from the Engineering
Department. This service is advertised to the whole city by the 'Flood
Public Advisory' that is mailed out annually between December-January.
An engineer and/or CFM will visit the project site upon request and will
provide an analysis report after the visit. A copy of any site visits and
analysis report will be kept on file with the city.
On a project-specific basis, the city provides contractors a Winter
Preparedness notification that informs them that during the winter season,
they need to winterize their project(s) site. Certain soil disturbance
activities are not allowed during the rainy season.
The city participates in annual clean-up events: National River Clean-up
Day (each May) and Coastal Clean-up Day (each September) and
coordinates volunteers. They coordinate with Valley Water on both these
clean-up efforts. The city also participates in Valley Water's Adopt-a-
Creek Program.
Year-round, the city distributes at various events the FEMA flood-related
publications, including "Myths and Facts about the NFIP" and "Q&A NFIP
Handbook" and the front counter area in a brochure rack.
The city's' website has a "Flood Information"webpage contains
information on several of the PPI message topics; the webpage also
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redirects to Valley Water, FEMA, NOAA, www.floodsmart.gov,
www.Ready.gov, and USGS webpages.
h. City of Morgan Hill: Annually, the City of Morgan Hill sends a citywide
"Flood Report" close to or during the start of the rainy season. The report
is for residents and businesses to understand the flood hazards in the
City of Morgan Hill, to learn what they can do to protect themselves
before the next rainy season and to find out about recent and planned
improvements being made in the city. The Flood Report varies on PPI
priority messages including:
• Know Your Flood Risk
- Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMS)
- FEMA Flood Map Service Center(redirects to
www.msc.fema.gov)
- City contact information for flood map requests, flood
protection assistance, and other flood-related inquiries
- Major Creeks: Llagas, West Little Llagas, Edmundson,
Foothill, Paradise, Tennant, Coyote, Maple, and Corralitos
Creeks
• Build Responsibly- Morgan Hill Municipal Code Chapter 15.80
• SFHA
• Recent and Planned Improvements
• Keep Debris and Trash Out of Streams- It's illegal to dump into
our creeks; Do Not Dump
• Insure Your Property(redirects to www.floodsmart.gov)
• Be Prepared Before a Flood
- Protect Your Property
• Elevation Certificates
• Be Prepared During a Flood
- Register for AlertSCC
- Follow evacuation orders
- Stayed tuned (radio or TV) for possible warnings
- Avoid floodwaters-"Turn Around Don't Drown"
• 6" of moving water can knock you off your feet
• A car can be carried away by just 2'of water
• Develop a Family Emergency Plan
- Create a communications plan
- Assemble an emergency kit
- Keep a minimum 3-day supply of non-perishable food and
bottled water
• Download Disaster and Emergency Apps
ReadySCC
Red Cross Flood App
• Redirects to www.ValleyWater.org/FloodReady
From year-to-year, the Flood Report can also include additional
messaging based on the current outreach efforts and publicity
requirements on city's CRS activities.
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The city's website has a"Flood Information"webpage that contains the
city's flooding information, which redirects to their Floodplain
Management page and includes a link to the city's annual "Flood Report."
The webpage redirects to Valley Water's Flood Ready webpage and also
contains FEMA flood information.
Each summer, the city sends an annual notice to Repetitive Loss (RL)
areas as required by FEMA and is a prerequisite for a CRS Class 9.
i. City of Mountain View: The City of Mountain View sends information on
flood risk, flood safety, and the importance of buying flood insurance in
the Winter version of the city's newsletter called, "The View." The city
publishes this newsletter bi-annually and is sent to all postal addresses in
the City of Mountain View(over 17,000 addresses). The Fall edition of the
newsletter includes a "Are You Flood Prepared?" section that provides a
wealth of informs the public of flood risks including the nine priority flood
messages including: know your flood risk, contact your floodplain
manager to find out if your property is in a floodplain, how to insure your
property, protect people from the flood hazard by creating a 3-day
emergency kite, protect your property with city provided sandbags, build
responsibly, protect the natural floodplain by keeping debris and trash out
of our streams, develop an emergency plan, download the emergency
apps and 'Turn around don't drown' messaging. The city's "Flood
Protection and Insurance Information" webpage also provides information
on many of these same topics and also redirects to Valley Water's
webpage and www.floodsmart.gov.
Each year, all residents and businesses see these nine priority flood
messages again as an insert in their utility bill that arrives between July-
September.
The city participates in the Mountain View Art &Wine Festival (each
September) and Thursday Night Live (months of June and July) and
distributes Valley Water's annual floodplain mailer and the promotional
item (e.g., emergency starter kits, Get Flood Ready Emergency Supply
Checklist tote bags, etc.). Valley Water also hosts a table at the Mountain
View Art&Wine Festival and distributes various flood readiness materials
and information (i.e. Valley Water's floodplain mailer [containing all 9 PPI
topic messages], FEMA NFIP flood insurance information, ReadySCC,
and American Red Cross flood apps, AlertSCC, sandbag guidelines, flood
protection project-specific notices, FEMA NFIP materials, and
preparedness activity/coloring books, etc.)to the public.
The City of Mountain View does a social media notification about storm
preparation for winter storms ahead of time. The notification directs
residents to their"Flood Protection and Insurance Information"webpage.
The city has also linked the city's webpage to Valley Water's Flood Ready
webpage.
j. City of Palo Alto: Annually, the City of Palo Alto's "Are You Ready for
Winter Storms?' flyer(aka utility insert) is sent to all residents and
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businesses in the city, in their utility bills in the fall. The flyer contains
information on the nine (9) PPI topic messages, including: what to do
before, during, and after a storm; prepare family emergency plans and
emergency kits; sign up for AlertSCC; bookmark citvofpaloalto.org/storms
webpage for up-to-date local storm information; stay powered safely;
understand shallow flooding —Turn Around, Don't Drown; protect your
property — know your flood hazard area, insure your property sufficiently,
purchase flood insurance; identify flood zone designation; build
responsibly; clean out roof gutters, downspouts, landscape inlets and
swales; sandbags available/locations; report hazardous material spills
and illegal dumping; Do Not Dump; emergency information: flood warning
and creek levels; blocked storm drains, mud slides, and fallen trees; sign
up to receive text or email notifications of flood conditions; get Red Cross
flood app; become an Emergency Services Volunteers (ESV); and other
general information including non-emergency; real-time public safety
updates are posted on social media accounts on: Twitter, Nextdoor,
Facebook, etc. Information on the link to real-time creek monitor page
and San Francisquito Creek JPA early flood warning system is also
provided.
The city distributes various flood preparedness and safety documents,
including FEMA NFIP materials for public/policyholders (e.g. Valley
Water's annual floodplain mailer, FEMA's NFIP Why Do I Need Flood
Insurance? Your Homeowners Insurance Does Not Cover Flooding, The
Preferred Risk Policy for Homeowners and Renters, etc.). These
materials are available at the Public Works Department, the Development
Center, and are also made available via the city's website, "Flood
Information and Winter Storm Preparedness" webpage that redirects to
'Flood Information Documents'from the City of Palo Alto Library Digital
Collection database. These materials are also distributed at the city's
annual events noted below.
Annually, the city also sends out a utility announcement, "Anytime it can
rain it can flood. Don't get caught off-quard." The announcement includes
a link to the city's flood safety tips webpage at
www.cityofpaloalto.org/storms. The announcement is sent once a year
during the month of March/April. Messages included are: Valley Waters
Flood Safety Tips, purchase flood insurance, prepare a family emergency
plan, know the location of neighborhood streams and drainage channels,
learn the best route to high ground; protect natural floodplains; protect
your home and understand shallow flooding.
As required by FEMA and is a prerequisite for a CRS Class 9, the city
also sends annual letters to the properties in the city's mapped repetitive
loss areas, highlighting flood safety tips; the letter is typically mailed in the
month of August/September.
Annually, at the beginning of the flood season (September/October), the
city sends out letters to real estate agencies informing them of their
responsibility to identify flood hazard areas and to take advantage of the
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Flood Zone Lookup on the city's website on the Floodplain Management
webpage.
The city participates in the annual clean-up events: National River Clean-
up Day(each May) and Coastal Clean-up Day (each September). They
coordinate with Valley Water on both these clean-up efforts. Additionally,
the city participates in Valley Water's Adopt-A-Creek Program.
Trash booms are located in Matadero Creek and Adobe Creek. Annually,
booms clean-ups are done on an as-needed basis. The city also
assesses its hot spots and cleans up the local drainage system on an
ongoing basis as part of the city's operations and maintenance.
Each April, city staff host a flood readiness table at the city's annual Earth
Day event and at the City Municipal Corporation Open House held in July.
Flood preparedness materials are distributed to the community, including
Valley Water's outreach promotional item (varies from year to year) and
their annual floodplain mailer, the city's "Are You Ready for Winter
Storms?" utility insert, the Creekwise mailer/brochure, and runs a
slideshow presentation of flood preparedness and protection. Upon
request, the city also participates in other fairs and promotes flood
readiness.
k. City of San Jose: Annually, at the beginning of the flood season, the City
of San Jose sends an annual flyer to properties in repetitive loss areas
typically between September and December as required by FEMA and is
a prerequisite for a CRS Class 9. The informs property owners that their
property is in a flood-prone area. The flyer also details ways property
owners can protect themselves and their property, such as be informed
and know your flood risk, how to reduce this risk, how to protect your
people and your property, including flood insurance (redirecting to
www.floodsmart.gov), build responsibly, and to practice flood safety.
The city's Public Works, Development Services, "Flood Hazard Zones"
webpage located here: https://www.sanioseca.gov/your-
government/departments/public-works/development-services/floodplain-
management, includes information on the following:
Flood Information
Public Works staff provides information regarding flood zones,
flood insurance, Special Flood Hazard Area regulations, and
maintains copies of elevation certificates. The public may also
check if their property is in the flood zone by visiting flood
hazards zone map.
- Flood Hazard Zones
The City of San Jose is a member of the National Flood Insurance
Program. Membership in the program allows residents of the City
of San Josh to obtain federally backed mortgages and disaster
assistance in the event of floods. In exchange, the city requires
new land developments and remodels of existing buildings to
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conform to rules that minimize flood damage. Public Works is
responsible for administering this program and providing flood
zone information to the citizens of San Jose.
- Re-directs to Valley Water's Flood Ready webpage for more
information about watersheds and historical flooding information.
The city also has a link on its website to www.floodsmart.gov for
residents to learn more about purchasing flood insurance.
The city recognizes Valley Water's Flood Awareness Campaign and has
linked the city's main flood webpage to Valley Water's Flood Ready
webpage. In addition, all the residents in the FEMA designated SFHA
receive Valley Water's annual floodplain mailer. This mailer is kept in a
static location at City Hall for residents to pick-up and is also distributed at
various events throughout the year.
Annually, at the beginning of the flood season (September-December),
the city sends out letters to real estate and insurance agencies and
lenders, informing them of their responsibility to identify flood hazard
areas and to take advantage of the Flood Zone Lookup on the city's
website on the "Flood Hazard Zones webpage and advises to contact the
city for map reading services and elevation certificates on file.
The city hosts an annual public safety event, 'Building Permits and Home
Safety Open House,' typically held in May. Valley Water staff also
participates in the city's annual Pumpkins in the Park' event, held in
October. At both events, there are booths/tables with
information/materials that support our PPI topic messages; flood
prevention materials are distributed.
I. City of Santa Clara: Each fall, the City of Santa Clara mails out a
citywide newsletter for residents and businesses, including all addresses
in the SFHA, called "Inside Santa Clara." The fall issues have a "Are You
Flood Ready" page that includes all nine (9) CRS key priority messages
urging residents and business to purchase flood insurance, learn more
about flood from floodsmart.gov, find out their flood zone and flood risk
with available services from the city, prepare emergency kits and family
emergency plans, sign up for ALERT SCC (the Santa Clara County
emergency alert system), download emergency apps "ReadySCC" or the
Red Cross Emergency App, make permanent improvements to reduce
flood damages with free Flood Protection Assistance, Property Protection
Advice service from the city, build responsibly and obtain building permits
and elevation certificates in SFHA, protect properties from flood threats
with sandbags available from the city, stay safe from shallow flood and
flood water while driving or walking -Turn Around, Don't Drown, keep
storm drain inlet and catch basins clear of debris or leaves. The citywide
newsletter also provided "How To" information on staying safe during a
flood, proper sandbag usage, reporting storm drain blockage, and
reporting illegal dumping in/near creeks to reduce flood and pollution risk.
The newsletter is mailed to all residential and business addresses in the
city. Additional copies of the newsletter are available for display and pick
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up at City Hall, and it can also be accessed online on the city's website:
https://www.santaclaraca.gov/i-want-to/stay-informed/newsroom/city-
publications/inside-santa-clara.
City staff host a flood readiness table at the city's annual Art & Wine
Festival held each September to display and distribute emergency
preparedness kits, Valley Water's floodplain mailer and flood reporting
phone number magnet and provide flood zone look up service. Valley
Water also sponsors a table at the festival promoting flood preparedness
and distributes various flood readiness materials to the community.
During the storm season, the City of Santa Clara publishes social media
posts on Facebook, Twitter, and other platforms, focused on safety and
urges residents to stay vigilant while walking or driving during heavy
rains/storms; reminds them to keep storm drain inlets clear, and advises
them to report blocked storm drain inlets. The city's Office of Emergency
Services prepared a pre-flood plan (FRP)for public information projects
that will be implemented before, during, and after a storm/flood, as well as
identifying who is responsible for posting these messages, what type of
events they apply to, what social media platforms to post to and how
often. Before a storm/flood, the messages focus on emergency kit, plan,
and app-sign-up preparation, and flood damage prevention. During a
storm/flood, the messages focus on shallow flood risk, utility safety, and
where to find accurate information on evacuation order, shelter, and road
closure. After a flood, the messages focus on keeping people safe,
reporting issues, where to find accurate information on the current status
for drinking water, utility, road closure, evacuation order and shelter, and
rebuilding and recovery.
The city's website, "Flood Protection Information" webpage contains
valuable information on flood-related topics, such as local flood risk,
FEMA flood zones, flood insurance, and flood emergency preparedness,
among other things. Many FEMA publications containing a wealth of
flood-related information are also available for viewing in hard copy at
Santa Clara City Hall or at the City of Santa Clara Central Library:
https://www.santaclaraca.gov/our-city/departments-q-z/public-
works/engineering/flood-protection.
M. City of Saratoga: The City of Saratoga's website encourages
residents/businesses to purchase flood insurance and redirects visitors to
www.floodsmart.gov: hftps://www.saratoga.ca.us/218Minter-Storms.
The City of Saratoga does a social media notification about storm
preparation for winter storms ahead of time. The notification directs
residents to their"Staying Safe, Winter Storms" webpage. The City of
Saratoga has also linked the city's Winter Storms webpage to Valley
Water's Flood Ready webpage.
The City of Saratoga recognizes Valley Water's Flood Awareness
Campaign and has linked the city's main flood webpage to Valley Water's
Flood Ready webpage. In addition to all residents in the FEMA
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designated SFHA receiving Valley Water's annual floodplain mailer, the
mailer in kept static at the City Hall for residents to pick-up.
n. City of Sunnyvale: The City of Sunnyvale sends two (2) mailers and one
(1) newsletter article each October. The first mailer/postcard is targeted
to all residents and businesses within the SFHA informing them of the
requirement to purchase flood insurance and about the automatic 15%
discount. The second mailer/postcard is targeted to real estate agents
informing them of the client's responsibility for identification and purchase
of flood insurance and the availability of the automatic 15% discount.
The City of Sunnyvale's annual fall "Horizon" newsletter, which come out
in October, includes a "Know How to Be Flood Safe" article that promotes
flood safety and flood preparedness messaging, including purchasing
flood insurance and promotes www.floodsmart.gov, Flood Zone Lookup
information, AlertSCC, Do Not Dump, and highlights the city's website.
Additionally, the City of Sunnyvale has permanent"Road May Flood"
street signs in areas of the city prone to flooding and promotes the"Flood
Zone Look Up"featured on the city's website.
Furthermore, during the rainy season (October-March), the City of
Sunnyvale actively posts flood safety and preparedness messaging
through the city's Environmental Services social media platforms (i.e.,
Facebook and Twitter).
o. Valley Water: Valley Water sends an annual multi-language floodplain
mailer countywide to all residents and businesses within the SFHA in
Santa Clara County.
The floodplain mailer is an extensive mailer that includes language on all
the nine (9) PPI priority messages, such as contact numbers for mapping
services for each of the communities and flood response messaging on
what to do before, during, and after a flood. The mailer is sent out each
year between November/December to remind residents and businesses
in the SFHA of the upcoming rainy season and urges them to prepare
beforehand and to purchase flood insurance. An electronic version of the
mailer is also available on Valley Water's website on the flood
preparedness page at www.valleywater.org. It should be noted that this
is not necessarily a mailer to every creek side owner. Many properties
are adjacent to creeks but not in the SFHA and would not receive this
mailer.
Hard copies of the floodplain mailer are provided to all the cities/county
for their use to disseminate at various events (i.e. emergency
preparedness fairs, festivals, public meetings, etc.), including keeping the
mailer static in lobby areas for visitors to pick-up. Electronic copies are
also provided to the CRS communities to post on their websites.
Additionally, Valley Water includes flooding messages in an annual multi-
language countywide mailer sent to every postal address in the county in
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late October/early November. This is a general mailer whose topics
cover the full range of services Valley Water carries out; therefore, topics
vary from year to year, but a minimum of six (6)topics are included. The
importance of buying flood insurance is always mentioned and the 30-day
waiting period for an NFIP policy to go into effect.
Every CRS community submits the floodplain and countywide mailers for
CRS credit. Annually, Valley Water also distributes and provides each
community with a flood promotional item to giveaway to the public at
community events.
During the year, Valley Water participates in booth duty support at various
events and fairs throughout the county, including Valley Water Capital
project meetings, or other events, as requested by various organizations.
A number of communities pursue Outreach Project(OP) credit under
Activity 300 for this activity. Valley Water distributes flood preparedness
and awareness outreach materials (e.g., annual floodplain and
countywide mailers, FEMA NFIP materials, USACOE Disaster
preparedness coloring book, etc.)to the public at various events/fairs
throughout the county encouraging the public to "Get Flood Ready."
Valley Water maintains public outreach materials for use before, during
and after a flood and safety messaging. The distributed materials cover
all of the nine (9) key CRS messages: sandbag guideline and flood
protection project(s) information; downloading flood/emergency apps;
information to encourage creating a family emergency plan; encourage
homeowners, business owners, and renters to purchase of flood
insurance ahead of time; prepare emergency kits; to know your flood risk;
protecting people and property from flood threats; keeping creeks clean
and flowing; avoid floodwaters, and to build responsibly in floodplains.
The materials that are distributed include several FEMA publications and
Valley Water flood preparedness promotional items which can vary from
year to year.
Annually, Valley Water Office of Government Relations participates in the
below community events during the flood season (from September-May.
Note: The below list of events is subject to be amended.):
Table 5: Community Events During the Flood Season
Month Event
September -Santos Car Show(Alviso/San Jose)
- Mountain View Chamber of Commerce Art&Wine Festival (Mountain View)
-Cupertino Chamber of Commerce Silicon Valley Fall Festival (Cupertino)
-Morgan Hill Chamber of Commerce Taste of Morgan Hill (Morgan Hill)
October - Day on the Bay Multicultural Festival (hosted by Santa Clara County)
- Day in the Park(hosted by the City of San Jose, District 8)
-Pumpkins in the Park(hosted by Guadalupe River Park Conservancy, San
Jose)
- Diwali Festival of Lights(hosted by Cupertino Chamber of Commerce)
-Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Silicon Valley Festiv'ALL(sponsored by
Valley Water and City of San Jose
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November -Annual American Indian Heritage Celebration (hosted by ConXion to
Community, San Jose)
December -Santa Visits Alviso (San Jose)
January -South Valley Science Fair(hosted by South Valley Science and Engineering
fair, Morgan Hill)
-San Jose Women's March (hosted by Women's March Bay Area, San Jose)
February -Valley Medical Center's Women's Leadership Policy Summit(hosted by Valley
Medical Center Foundation, Saratoga)
March -Silicon Valley Leadership Group Regional Economic Forum (hosted by Silicon
Valley Leadership Group, Campbell)
-Tech Challenge (hosted by The Tech Interactive, San Jose)
- Morgan Hill Wildflower Run (hosted by American Association of University
Women, Morgan Hill)
April -City of Palo Alto Great Race for Saving Water(hosted by City of Palo Alto)
May - Berryessa Annual Art &Wine Festival (hosted by Berryessa Business
Association & Bay Area Community Services, San Jose)
-Campbell Chamber of Commerce Boogie on the Avenue (hosted by Campbell
Chamber of Commerce, Campbell)
- Mushroom Mardi Gras(hosted by Morgan Hill Mushroom Mardi Gras Inc.,
Morgan Hill)
Additionally, throughout the year, there are other countywide events that
Valley Water participates in by hosting a table and distributing flood
preparedness materials.
Valley Water's "Let's Talk Water" Speakers Bureau Program provides
general presentations to various groups, including Homeowners
Associations. The presentations talk about where your water comes
from, reviews the history of Valley Water and how we operate. Presenters
also discuss our water supply sources for our county, water quality, flood
protection, including flood awareness/preparedness, and our creeks and
ecosystems. Information is shared on the topic of flood protection
includes, a brief description of the CRS program, how to find your flood
risk, make your 3-day emergency kit, the importance of purchasing flood
insurance, and Valley Water's ongoing flood protection projects:
https://www valleywater.org/learning-center/lets-talk-water-speakers-
bureau.
Annually, Valley Water distributes a soft copy of our 'Flood Safety Tips'
brochure for all SCC CRS communities' use (print hard copies to
distribute at events and/or post of flood preparedness webpages. This
brochure covers all nine (9) key priority topics and is also made available
on Valley Water's Flood Ready website.
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2. Valley Water's Annual Flood Awareness Media Campaign
Annually, Valley Water conducts a flood awareness media campaign, reaching
the community at large, including our multi-lingual community, groups with
special evacuation needs, new residents, visitors, and tourists. The campaign
runs the duration of the rainy season, typically from November to April, and
features social media videos and postings on various platforms (i.e., Facebook,
Twitter, Instagram, Nextdoor, etc.), digital banners, newspaper advertorials, radio
ads, billboards, utility bill inserts for communities to use, communities re-direct to
Valley Water's flood ready website, and television/mobile ads targeting residents
who live in flood-prone areas and multilingual ethnic communities.
As part of Valley Water's annual flood awareness campaign, an annual floodplain
mailer is sent to all addresses in the County of Santa Clara's FEMA designated
SFHA (see Section 1. Outreach and Flood Response Projects by CRS
Community, Item o. Valley Water).
Additionally, as needed, Valley Water conducts an outreach campaign targeted
to "hot spot" areas (i.e., locations Valley Water has identified as prone to
flooding) by engaging in additional outreach with the public, as needed and/or
requested. This outreach may include a live or virtual event where residents in
hot spot areas receive additional info on how to prepare for a flood event and will
include a Board member promoting for residents to purchase flood insurance.
An annual `Winter Preparedness Emergency Resources Guide' (postcard/flyer) is
mailed to residents and/or businesses who live or are located within hot spot
locations. The guide includes the following CRS messages:
- 'Know Your Risk' by visiting www.msc.fema.gov to see your
location on a FEMA SFHA map;
'Prepare Your Home' by downloading emergency apps and
monitoring stream levels and finding sandbags locations; and
- 'Get Insured' by visiting www.floodsmart.gov to find an agent in
your areas.
- What to do Before, During, and After a Flood.
As part of the flood awareness campaign, a 'Get Flood Ready, Social Media and
Web Resources Guide' is provided to each of the communities for their use as
part of their outreach efforts.
3. Do Not Dump Program
a. Storm Drain Stenciling/Medallion- For more than 20 years, the County of
Santa Clara has a program to locate and label all storm drain inlets "Do
Not Dump" stencils at storm drains. This program, which helps prevent
shallow flooding continues. Several Santa Clara County cities/county and
Valley Water participate in the Storm Drain Stenciling Program.
b. Cities in Santa Clara County require all developments modifying or
constructing new catch basins/storm drains/inlets to stencil the "No
Dumping! Flows to Bay." In addition, some of these cities require all bid
documents for capital projects which are modifying or constructing new
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catch basins and require the contractors to install the same stencil. The
program is also highlighted on cities' websites.
In South County municipalities (permittees) are subject to the statewide
"Phase II" Stormwater Permit: National Pollutant Discharge Elimination
System (NPDES) General Permit for Waste Discharge Requirements
(WDRs) for Storm Water Discharges from Small Municipal Separate
Storm Sewer Systems (MS4s). The permit became effective
July 1, 2013 and remains effective (as amended) until reissued. The last
amendment was effective January 1, 2019.
The North County municipalities (permittees)are subject to the San
Francisco Bay Municipal Regional Stormwater NPDES Permit. The
permit was effective January 1, 2016 and was due to expire December
31, 2020 but has been administratively extended.
C. The City of Cupertino's annual flood notices in the local newsletter, 'The
Cupertino Scene,' contains dumping is illegal messaging and how to
report.
d. The City of Milpitas's annual "Flood Public Advisory" annual brochure
contains dumping is illegal messaging and how to report.
e. The City of Palo Alto's annual "Are You Ready for Winter Storms?" utility
bill insert contains the Do Not Dump and report illegal dumping
messages.
f. The City of Sunnyvale's annual fall "Horizon" newsletter includes a "Know
How to Be Flood Safe" article that promotes the Do Not Dump message.
g. Valley Water places"Do Not Dump" signs by waterways/channels.
h. Valley Water lists the Pollution Hotline number in all their Project Notices.
4. Information for Use Before, During, and After a Flood
a. Valley Water maintains public outreach materials for use before, during,
and after a flood, including safety messages, how to file insurance claims,
the need for permits, etc. These materials include several FEMA
publications and Valley Water collateral items. Several of these items are
also available on our website. Valley Water distributes these outreach
materials to the public at various events/fairs throughout the county, at
public meetings, with stakeholders (e.g., Second Harvest Food Bank,
HOA's, Fire Departments, etc.) to help disseminate our flood
preparedness messaging. These items are also made available upon
request to cities/county to distribute within their community.
Valley Water's website includes a 'Flood Safety Advice: Before, During,
and After a Flood' webpage hftr)s://www.valleywater.org/floodready/flood-
safety-advice-during-after.
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b. The City of Santa Clara has a plan that outlines flood response activities
to carry out before, during, and after a storm/flood. The plan identifies
how to disseminate information on social media (i.e., frequency and type
of messaging, which media platforms, and who will be responsible for
posting the messages).
C. The City of Milpitas' `Flood Public Advisory' annual brochures provide
information on what to do before and during a flood.
Other Public Information Initiatives
The PPI Committee reviewed other public information activities, in addition to outreach projects.
Additional credit is available under Activities 340, 350, 360, and 540 if the element is described
in the PPI document with specific recommendations on how it should be conducted.
Activity 340 (DFH and REB)—Additional credit is provided if the PPI states that real estate
agents should (or have agreed to) advise house hunters about the flood hazard and that real
estate agents give house hunters a REB brochure.
• The City of Morgan Hill mails out during the rainy season an annual newsletter,
"Ask Before You Buy: Know Your Flood Risk!", to local real estate agents that
provide homebuyers help to determine the flood risk of the property being
purchased.
• The City of Palo Alto sends out annual letters to real estate agencies, informing
them of their responsibility to identify flood hazard areas and to take advantage
of the Flood Zone Lookup on the city's website on the Floodplain Management
webpage at the beginning of the flood season (September/October).
• The City of San Jose sends out letters to real estate and insurance agencies
and lenders, informing them of their responsibility to identify flood hazard areas
and to take advantage of the Flood Zone Lookup on the city's website on the
"Flood Hazard Zones webpage and advises to contact the city for map reading
services and elevation certificates on file (September—December).
• The City of Sunnyvale sends a mailer/postcard targeted to real estate agents
informing them of the client's responsibility for identification and purchase of flood
insurance and the availability of the automatic 15% discount.
• Other communities could follow suit and send out the info to real estate agents
advising house hunters about flood hazards and advise real estate agents to give
house hunters a REB brochure.
Activity 350 (WEB1)—Additional bonus credit is provided if the communities website covers
the additional priority messages (Topics 7-9) that are listed in the PPI, listed in Table 3: CRS
Priority Messages.
• All communities' website flood protection resources webpage includes language
that contains the three additional PPI priority messages noted below:
7. Develop an emergency plan.
8. Download disaster apps.
9. Understand shallowing risks—don't drive through standing water.
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Activity 360 (PPA, PPV, FAA)—Additional bonus credit is provided if the PPI discusses how
the community's property protection services should be conducted (PPA), discusses site visits
as part of the community's property protection service (PPV), and discusses how the
community's financial assistance advisory service should be conducted (FAA).
• The City of Cupertino provides property protection advice site visits and
general flood protection assistance to interested community members. Advice
and assistance are provided one-on-one, either over the phone, face-to-face at
the public counter or through comments related to development review. Site
visits, if requested, are also conducted and scheduled directly with qualified city
staff. This service is advertised to the entire community in their annual flood
notices in the local newsletter(The Cupertino Scene, a community-wide
newsletter). The notice is typically published before or at the beginning of the
rainy season (October or November issue).
• The City of Milpitas offers Flood Protection Assistance and provides in-person
flood risk consultation at the front counter. Anyone seeking flood zoning and
flood mitigation information, can talk to a Registered Civil Engineer and/or a
Certified Floodplain Manager(CFM)from the Engineering Department. This
service is advertised to the whole city by the `Flood Public Advisory' that is
mailed out annually between December-January. An engineer and/or CFM will
visit the project site upon request and will provide an analysis report after the
visit. A copy of any site visits and analysis report will be kept on file with the city.
• The City of Santa Clara provides property protection advice and general flood
protection assistance to interested residents and businesses. Advice and
assistance are provided one-on-one by reviewing site plans and site photos,
either over the phone, or face-to-face at the permit center counter. Site visits, if
requested, are also conducted and scheduled directly with qualified city staff.
This service is advertised to the entire community every year in the fall issue of
citywide newsletter"Inside Santa Clara", which typically goes out every
September.
• Other communities could follow suit and send out the info on how the
community's property protection services should be conducted, including site
visits as part of the community's property protection service and offer the
community financial assistance advisory service.
Activity 540 (Drainage System Maintenance)—Additional credit is provided if the PPI specifies
the message and recommends the best way to disseminate it.
Valley Water's annual floodplain countywide mailers and all project notices
include messaging on Do Not Dump/Illegal Dumping. All communities comply
with the Santa Clara County's Storm Drain Stenciling/Medallion Program as
developments that are modifying or constructing new catch basins/storm
drains/inlets are required, per the below-noted permits, to stencil the "No
Dumping Flows to Bay." In addition, some of these cities require all bid
documents for capital projects, which are modifying or constructing new catch
basins, require the contractors to install the same stencil. The program is also
highlighted on cities' websites.
- 65-
South County municipalities are subject to the statewide "Phase 11"
NPDES Permit
North County municipalities are subject to the SF Bay Municipal Regional
Stormwater NPDES Permit
Other New Initiatives
The PPI committee identified a number of new initiatives:
1. Continue and expand the standardized flood message prepared for each
community to include flood messages in utility bills each year, including PG&E.
2. Expand on partnerships with local chambers of commerce to disseminate and
share flood preparedness information.
3. Expand on outreach to the Asian and Latino communities who live in flood prone
areas
4. Expand on outreach to "hot spot"flood prone areas by hosting on-site or virtual
events.
5. Expand on reaching local homeowners associations (HOA)s and apartment
associations
(i.e. Executive Council of Homeowners[ECHO])
6. Expand on reaching residents in marginal and low-income communities through
partnering with organizations that reach these communities. (Le. Second Harvest
Food Bank and others)
7. Communities could pursue FEMA Matching Funds Grants for severe Repetitive
Loss Areas.
8. Review and expand other public information activities, such as Flood Protection
Assistance (Activity 360) and Flood Insurance Promotion (Activity 370).
9. Develop a regionwide Flood Response Program messaging plan.
Vill. ANNUAL EVALUATION REPORTS
The Santa Clara County Multi-Jurisdictional PPI Committee will meet at least once per year to
evaluate the PPI and incorporate any needed revisions. This meeting will be coordinated
through the ongoing CRS User's Group meetings which are expected to occur at least twice a
year. The evaluation will cover:
• Reviewing projects that were completed.
• Evaluation of progress toward outcomes.
• Recommendations on projects that have not been completed.
• Recommendations for new projects not previously identified.
• Target Audience changes; and
• Impact of the program during a real flood event if one has occurred.
A report will be prepared by Valley Water or through a sub-committee of the PPI Committee for
submission with each CRS community's annual CRS recertification package.
During Fiscal Years 2016-19 (Years 1-4), the 2015 PPI Committee met a minimum of twice a
year to complete annual evaluation reports for each year. Each community that participated in
-66 -
the 2015 PPI sent annual evaluation reports to their respective governing body and included the
report as part of their annual recertification submittals.
In 2020, the Insurance Services Office (ISO) authorized the exemption of the 2015 PPI Year 5
Annual Evaluation Report, as the Multi-Jurisdictional PPI was scheduled to be updated for its
five (5) year revision.
IX. FIVE-YEAR REVISIONS
Every five (5)years, the Santa Clara County Multi-Jurisdictional PPI Committee will meet to
review and revise the PPI. At that time, the PPI Committee can decide to draft a new document
or an addendum to the existing document that updates the needs assessment and all sections
that should be changed based on evaluations of the projects.
The PPI is reviewed for CRS credit according to the FEMA NFIP CRS Coordinator's Manual
(Edition 2017) currently in effect, not the version used when the community originally requested
this credit. The update can qualify as the annual evaluation report for the year it was prepared.
The updated PPI must be adopted following the same process as the adoption of the original
document.
X. ADOPTION OF THE PPI
The Multi-Jurisdictional PPI will be considered fully adopted after it has been approved by the
elected body of each of the participating communities. Each CRS community is encouraged to
use Valley Water's Board Agenda Memo so that all the elected officials receive the same
information. This saves staff time and resources.
When a community develops a PPI as outlined in the FEMA NFIP CRS Coordinator's Manual
(Edition 2017), the PPI must be adopted by the community, through either:
• A formal vote by the community's governing body, or
• A formal vote by another body that has the authority and can provide the funding
to implement the PPI, such as a flood control district. If this option is used, the
PPI document must still be provided to the community's governing body for
informational purposes.
In April of 2015, nine (9) of the twelve (12) CRS communities' governing bodies adopted the
original Santa Clara County Multi-Jurisdictional 2015 PPI (5-Year Plan).
XI. REFERENCES
1. Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), Flood Disaster Protection Act of
1973, https://www.fdic.gov/regulations/laws/rules/6000-2400.htmi, December
1973.
2. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Developing a Program for
Public Information,
https://crsresources.orq/files/300/developing a ppi for credit under the crs.pdf
, March 2013.
3. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), National Flood Insurance
Program Community Rating System Coordinator's Manual,
https:Hcrsresources.orq/, 2017.
-67-
4. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Flood Zones,
hftps://www.fema.gov/qlossary/flood-zones, July 2020.
5. Flood Insurance Sheets by Occupancy and by Zone provided by ISO, CRS
Technical Reviewer, Dave Arkens on November 15 and 18, 2020.
6. Shawnee County, Kansas, Definitions of FEMA Flood Zone Designations,
hftps://snmapmod.snco.us/fmm/document/fema-flood-zone-definitions.r)df.
7. Snohomish County Public Works Surface Water Management, Washington,
Snohomish, City of Monroe, City of Sultan: Multi-Jurisdictional Program for Public
Information, January 2013.
8. State of California et al, California's Flood Future: Recommendations for
Managing the State's Flood Risks, November 2013.
9. US Census Bureau: Population Estimates,
hftps://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table, (V2019), July 1, 2019.
10. Town of Surfside Beach, South Carolina PPI,
https://crsresources.org/files/300/surfside beach example ppi.pdf, November
2014.
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APPENDIX B
Additional Non-Credited CRS Outreach Projects for Activity 330 by Community
Please Note:Some of the below-identified Outreach Projects may be creditable under other
CRS activities/element, such as Activity 350, c). Flood protection website(WEB)
CRS Outreach Projects
Community
County of The County's website includes a "Santa Clara County Storm and Flood Information and
Santa Clara Resources"webpage available for all residents in the county. The storm and flood
information page redirects residents to Valley Water's Flood Ready webpage and
www.floodsmart.gov as useful resources:
https://www.sccq ov.o rg/sites/opa/Pages/storm.aspx.
Santa Clara County has a Consumer Protection Division's website that also includes a
"Flood Safety Information" page. The site redirects residents to Valley Water's Access
Valley Water customer portal for reporting debris in creeks: https://cpd.sccgov.org/flood-
safety-information.
City of City staff promotes the use of"Property Information"whenever possible. FIRM
Cupertino information is searchable by property address and easily viewed through the city's
"Property Information" web mapping application, an interactive map that allows public
users to view data for any property in Cupertino. Interested community members can
access Property Information from the city's main webpage and immediately find out what
flood zone and panel number their property is located in.
City of The city's floodplain management regulations comply with Title 44 of the Code of Federal
Gilroy Regulations that regulates development within the city's floodplains and meet state and
federal minimum standards.
Gilroy has a comprehensive Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program
that educates residents about disaster preparedness for the hazards, including flooding,
that may impact their area and trains them in basic disaster response skills, such as fire
safety, light search and rescue, team organization, and disaster medical operations.
CERT offers a consistent, nationwide approach to volunteer training and organization that
professional responders can rely on during disaster situations, which allows them to focus
on more complex tasks. Through CERT, the capabilities to prepare for, respond to and
recover from disasters are built and enhanced.
CERT volunteers are trained to respond safely, responsibly, and effectively to emergency
situations, but they can also support their communities during non-emergency events as
well.
City of Los City Council adopts a Proclamation California Flood Preparedness Week.
Altos
At the beginning of the flood season, the city's Public Information Officer does social
media on various platforms (e.g., City Manager community email, Facebook, Nextdoor,
Twitter, etc.).
The city's Public Works Department hosts a 'Flood Zone Information' webpage on its
website: https://www.losaltosca.gov/publicworks/page/flood-zone-information. This page
contains information on:
• Creeks that run through Los Altos: Adobe Creek, Hale Creek, Permanente Creek,
and Stevens Creek and the by-pass near Blach School, which carries overflow
- 78 -
from Permanente Creek to Stevens Creek. All these creeks may subject property
to flooding during periods of heavy storms.
• Information for Insurance (redirects to FEMA's NFIP, www.floodsmart.gov)
• Flood zone information
• Link to Valley Water's Flood Protection, Flood Ready resource page and news
blogs for various flood-related articles.
• Link to Valley Water's Sign-up for Emergency Alerts (Alert SCC, ReadySCC and
American Red Cross Flood App)
• FEMA NFIP
• FEMA National Flood Hazard Mapping
• FEMA Map Service Center
Supporting Documents
- Santa Clara Valley Water District: Contact Your Floodplain Manager
- FEMA: Protecting Building Utilities from Flood Damage
- FEMA: Protecting Structures Built on Fill
- FEMA: Reducing Damage from Localize Flooding
- FEMA: Reducing Flood Risk to Residential Building that Cannot be Elevated
- FEMA: Substantial Improvement, Substantial Damage Desk Reference
- 2019 PPI Annual Evaluation Report(updated annually)
- Mailer to Property Owners- Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHA)
City of The city distributes a Winter Preparedness flyer that informs contractors that the winter
Milpitas season will arrive, and they need to winterize their project(s)site. Certain soil disturbance
activities are not allowed during the rainy season.
The city participates in the annual National River Clean-up (each May) and Coastal Clean-
up Day (each September). They coordinate with Valley Water on both these clean-up
efforts.
Year-round, the City of Milpitas distribute at various events the FEMA flood-related
publications, including "Myths and Facts about the NFIP" and "Q&A NFIP Handbook" and
the front counter area in a brochure rack.
The City of Milpitas' "Important Flood Hazard Information" webpage contains information
on several of the PPI message topics. The webpage also redirects to Valley Water,
FEMA, NOAA, www.floodsmart.gov, www.Ready.gov, and USGS webpages:
https://www ci milpitas.ca.gov/milpitas/departments/engineering/flood-information/.
City of Citywide weekly newsletter/e-mail blast (called Weekly 411) sent out to subscribers during
Morgan Hill the rainy season include messages about flood safety, emergency preparedness,
emergency Apps: AlertSCC, ReadySCC, and the Red Cross Flood App, sandbags, and
flood insurance.
The city's Floodplain Management webpage includes a link to Valley Water's Flood Ready
webpage ALERT System Real-Time Data, as well as a link to FEMA's Flood Map Service
Center: http://www.morgan-hill.ca.gov/748/Floodplain-Management.
The city participates in National River Cleanup Day and Coastal Cleanup Day. Morgan Hill
Creek Cleanup is advertised in the City's Recreation Activity Guide on the City's website.
Each September, the city declares September as "National Preparedness Month." The
city's weekly newsletters/e-mail blasts during the month of September include information
on how to be prepared throughout the month.
- 79 -
The city's Emergency Preparedness webpage has a link to the Department of Homeland
Security's www.Ready.gov website which contains a fillable family emergency
communication plan: hftp://www.mor-gan-hill.ca.gov/133/Emergency-Preparedness.
During the rainy season, the city mails out an annual newsletter, "Ask Before You Buy:
Know Your Flood Risk!"to local real estate agents which are provided to homebuyers to
help determine the flood risk of the property being purchased.
The city has links to Valley Water's "Permits for Working on Valley Water Land or
Easement" on the City's Floodplain Management webpage. Valley Water's webpage
includes a link to the Water Resources Protection Ordinance.
The city and/or Valley Water hosts an informational table at the annual city festivals:
Mushroom Mardi Gras (each May) and the Taste of Morgan Hill (each September). Flood
readiness information is disseminated to the public.
City of The city's Public Works Department hosts a "Flood Protection and Insurance Information"
Mountain webpage on its website: https://www.mountainview.gov/depts/pw/flood protection.asp.
View Topics include:
Upcoming Storm Season Information
Flood Protection—Sand and sandbags available; how to fill a sandbag
See Santa Clara Valley Water District's floodplain mailer
Flood Safety Tips (redirects to Valley Water's Flood Ready webpage)
What to do before, during, and after a flood
Protection Information
Flood Safety
Flood Insurance
Flood Map Information (redirects to www.floodsmart.gov)
Flood Protection Tips
Preparing for Winter Storm Season
Remove Fallen Leaves
Emergency Contact Numbers
Obtain Sandbags When Necessary
Report Flooding or Standing Water
Report Downed Trees and Limbs
Do Not Touch Downed Power Lines
Prepare at Home — Emergency kits
Contact numbers to report power outages or downed power lines
Trash capture devices are installed in the storm drains of some of the city's high
generation rate area and we partner with Valley Water on trash removal on the two creeks
in the city.
City of Palo The City of Palo Alto's website, Public Works "Creek Monitor" webpage includes real-time
Alto creek monitoring on San Francisquito Creek, Matadero Creek, and Adobe Creek. This
webpage redirects visitors to the San Francisquito Creek Joint Power Authority (JPA),
Flood Early Warning System website. The information on this JPA website updates every
15 minutes: https://www.cityofpaloaIto.orq/qov/depts/pwd/creek monitor/default.asp
Additionally, the "Creek Monitor" webpage redirects to the National Weather Service, Palo
Alto forecast and radar pages; USGS San Francisquito Creek stream gauge; and the
California Nevada River Forecast Center websites:
https://www.cityofpaloaIto.org/gov/depts/pwd/creek monitor/default.as
- 80 -
The City of Palo Alto's "Floodplain Management" webpage provides relevant FEMA
information, including Flood Zone Lookup for all interested residents. This page directs
visitors to FEMA Elevation Certificate Information; FEMA NFIP; FEMA Technical Bulletins
for Construction in the SFHA; Letter of Map Amendment application materials; and City of
Palo Alto Development Center, Permits and Applications:
https://www citvofpaloalto orq/qov/depts/pwd/stormwater/floodzones.asp
The City of Palo Alto's Office of Emergency Services, "Flood Information and Winter
Storm Preparedness" webpage contains useful information for flood readiness:
https://www citvofpaloalto orq/services/public safety/flood information winter storms/def
ault.as
City of San The city has a "Flood Emergency Notifications"webpage that includes the following
Jose topics: https://www san4oseca.gov/news-stories/news/emergency-notifications/flood-
emergency-notifications
- Emergency public information notifications and updates are provided.
- The city's Incident Management Team, a branch of the Emergency Operations
Center communicates with Valley Water and the National Weather Service to
actively monitor the situation and is ready to respond if conditions change. The city
informs residents of significant changes that may cause flooding and ongoing
efforts (i.e., Flood Watch or Flood Warnings, creek levels, localized flooding, and
downed tree branches).
- City field crews respond to routine storm maintenance calls.
- Crews from PG&E respond to localized power outages; residents can find the
latest information on outages on the PG&E website and their Safety Action Center
for preparedness tips and more.
- Evacuation Center(s) will open if needed and location(s)will be listed on the city's
social media accounts if an evacuation warning or order is issued.
- Expected weather conditions are updated. Residents are advised to stay safe by
taking the following precautions:
• Monitor the news and follow the City of San Jose on social media,
Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for regular updates
• Be ready and tell neighbors to be ready to evacuate, if needed
• Protect property with sandbags to route water away from structures
• Raise furniture on the first floor to reduce damage if water threatens to enter
home
• Seniors or mobility impaired: Alert family or friends, so they are prepared to
assist should conditions change
• Pack a bag with important documents, medicines, spare clothes
• Report blocked drains and other storm-related issues at 408-794-1900
When driving, turn your car around if you encounter water on the road that
looks to be 6 inches or deeper—or if you can't tell how deep it is. Be especially
cautious at night when it is harder to recognize flood danger.
-81 -
- Sandbag Locations within the City of San Josh are listed. A complete list of
sandbag locations can be viewed by visiting:
https://www.vaIleywater.org/sandbags.
- Sign up for Text and Email Alerts- Residents are advised to opt in to AlertSCC,
the Santa Clara County emergency alert system: http://bit.ly/2BzQxtO. AlertSCC is
a free, easy, and confidential way for anyone who lives or works in Santa Clara
County to get emergency warnings sent directly to their cell phone, email, or
landline. In addition to AlertSCC, the ReadySCC emergency preparedness mobile
app is available.
- Warming Center— If needed, the City of San Jose may open warming centers to
service the homeless. Additional information can be found on the "Cold Weather
Tips for Older Adults" or find a warming center in Santa Clara County.
The City of San Jose has established policies that govern development within north San
Jose as related to flood hazard mitigation and impact avoidance. The objective of the city
is to provide consistent policies throughout the area to allow increased development
density, protect new structures from flooding, minimize potential increases in flood depths,
and ensure consistency with FEMA requirements and the city's floodplain management
ordinance.
The city's Municipal Code, Part 5. 17.08.600 defines the Requirements for Special Flood
Hazard Areas: https://www.sannoseca.gov/home/showpublisheddocument?id=66695.
The city's Public Works, Development Services "Flood and General Inquiry" webpage
allows for members of the public to submit inquiries on flood-related issues and questions,
including flood zones: https://www.san4oseca.gov/your-government/departments-
offices/public-works/development-services/flood-general-inquiry.
The city also posts on their webpage the following materials:
• Valley Water's brochure "List of Creeks that are Flood Prone":
https://www.sanooseca.gov/home/showpublisheddocument?id=9371;
• Valley Water's brochure "Prepare for Winter Storms ARE YOU FLOOD-READY":
https://www.sanjoseca.gov/home/showpublisheddocument?id=40707.
• The American Red Cross Emergency Preparedness Checklist:
https://www.saneoseca.gov/home/showpublisheddocument?id=49753.
City of The city has an Adopt-A-Spot Program that encourages and supports volunteers to
Santa Clara organize clean-up events in the city. The Adopt-A-Spot Program is designed to enable
community groups, businesses, churches, schools, and other organizations to play an
active role in keeping public spaces clean and beautiful while allowing them to set their
own schedule. Information on the program and how to Adopt-A-Spot is posted on the city
website.
The city organizes volunteers for the National River clean-up event each year and event
results of trash collected is posted on the city website.
The city has a funded program to install hundreds of new storm drain inlet inserts every
year.
The city promotes ALERTSCC and ReadySCC on social media and during CERT training
courses.
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The city hosts workshops to promote developing family emergency plans and kits. The
city publishes a comprehensive and easy to follow guide on putting together an
emergency kit and family emergency plan, and it is available on the city website.
The City of Santa Clara City Hall and library have a wealth of flood awareness material
available for check out or free to take home. Materials include flood awareness coloring
books for children,flood insurance information in English and Spanish for residents and
businesses, technical information on protecting a building from flood and more.
The city posts social media messages including topics on protecting people and property
from flood hazard, such as shallow flood danger and proper usage of sandbags and
sandbags availability.
The city's Public Works Department has a flood protection webpage on the city's website:
https://www santaciaraca gov/our-city/departments-q-z/public-works/engineering/flood-
protection.
City of The city hosts a link on its Flood Protection page on how to prevent stormwater pollution:
Sunnyvale http://www.mvwatershedwatch.org/.
City staff, through Environmental Services, hosted Coastal Clean-up in Sunnyvale.
City staff provided preparedness training/information at Farmer's Market and instructed
people to download emergency and flood apps to stay informed about the latest
emergencies and flood updates. Additionally, city staff provides flood safety information
and distributes emergency starter kits at the city's Annual State of the City address.
The city's website promotes:
Topics on city's 'Flood Protection' webpage:
https://sunnyvale.ca.qov/property/floodprotection/default.htm
Prepare for Storms
Develop Family Emergency Plan
Sign up to receive public safety and weather alerts on your phone
Keep gutters free from debris
Pick-up free sandbags, available at the city's Corporation Yard
Flood Tips and Resources
Find out what to do before, during, and after a flood or storm
Get emergency preparedness apps from the Red Cross
Download the FEMA app for safety, weather, and shelter information
If you see a blocked storm drain, call our 24-hour Sewer and Storm Drain
Response Hotline
Other Related Topics
Report broken limbs or fallen tree
Report illegal dumping in storm drains
Learn how to prevent stormwater pollution
Learn about local improvements to prevent flooding
Topics on city's 'Emergency Preparedness' webpage:
https://sunnVvale.ca.qov/government/safety/emergencV.htm
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- AlertSCC
- Follow SunnvaleDPS Twitter feed for local information during an
emergency.
- Radio 1680AM on your portable or car radio for local information during a
disaster.
- ReadySCC
- Listos California preparedness class, offered by Sunnyvale Emergency
Response Volunteers (SERV).
- www.Ready.gov
The city's Public Safety Department's Office of Emergency Services provides training,
support, and services to ensure the city is prepared to respond to and recover from the
effects of major emergencies.
Valley Flood Ready webpage: Flood & Safety, Flood Protection Resources
Water https://www.valleywater.org/floodreadv includes:
Valley Water in Your Area tool on website homepage: https://www.valleywater.org/
- Nine Things to Know to Be Flood Ready https://www.valleywater.org/news-
events/news-releases/9-things-you-need-know-be-flood-ready
- Sign Up for Emergency Alerts: AlertSCC and ReadySCC
https://www.valleywater.org/floodreadv/sign-up-for-emergency-alerts
- Sandbags Distribution Sites https://www.vaIleywater.org/sandbags
- ALERT System Real-Time Data - Stream, reservoir, surface water and
precipitation gauge data https://www.valleywater.org/vour-water/alert-system-real-
time-data
- Flood Safety Advice: Before, During, and After a Flood
https://www.valleywater.org/floodreadv/flood-safety-advice-during-after
- Is Your Home in a Flood Zone? (re-directing to www.floodsmart.gov using
https:Hmsc.fema.gov/portal https://www.valleywater.org/floodreadv/is-your-home-
in-a-flood-zone
- Report creek blockages, local flooding
https://www.vaIIeywater.org/floodreadv/report-creek-blockages-local-floodinq
- Flood Insurance (re-directing to www.floodsmart.gov)
https://www.valleywater.org/floodreadv/flood-insurance
- Flood Reports-Since 1967, Valley Water staff have prepared reports following
instances of severe flooding https://www.vaIIeywater.org/floodreadv/flood-reports
- Stream Maintenance Program https://www.valleywater.org/flooding-safety/stream-
maintenance-program
- Dam Safety Program https://www.valleywater.org/flooding-safety/dam-safety-
program
- Climate Change https://www.valleywater.org/vour-water/water-supply-
planning/climate-change
- Levee Safety https://www.valleywater.org/flooding-safety/levee-safety
- HEC-2 and HEC-RAS data library https://www.valleywater.org/flooding-safety/hec-
2-and-hec-ras-data-library
- Vertical Control Network https://www.valleywater.org/flooding-safety/vertical-
control-network
- Flood Emergency Action Plans https://www.valleywater.org/flooding-safety/flood-
emergency-action-plans
- Adopt a Creek Program https://www.valleywater.org/learning-center/adopt-a-creek
■ Creekwise Mailer—Various communities distribute this mailer at events they
host, including fairs.
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https://www valleywater orq/sites/default/files/CreekWise%202018%20flyer for
.Web%20FINAL%2000RRECT.pdf
■ Creekside Property Program https://www.valleywater.org/learning-
center/healthy-creeks-and-ecosystems/creekside-property-program
- National River Cleanup Day https://www.valleywater.org/news-
events/events/2019-national-river-cleanup-day
- Coastal River Cleanup Day https://www.valleywater.org/news-events/news-
releases/volunteer-coastal-cleanup-day-sept-15
- Safe, Clean Water and Natural Flood Protection Grants and Partnerships Program
https://www valleywater.org/learning-center/safe-clean-water-and-natural-flood-
protection-g rants-partnerships-program
- Let's Talk Water: Speakers Bureau Program https://www.valleywater.org/learning-
center/lets-talk-water-speakers-bureau
Flood Protection projects:
Safe, Clean Water, and Natural Flood Protection Program, Priority E: Flood Protection
to Homes, Business, Schools, and Highways https://www.valleywater.org/proiect-
updates/safe-clean-water-and-natural-flood-protection-program/priority-e-provide-
flood-protection-homes-businesses-schools-and-highways
5-year Capital Improvement Plan (CIP), Chapter 3—Flood Protection
https://www valleywater orq/how-we-operate/five-year-capital-improvement-program
Neighborhood Work Project Notices https://www.valleywater.org/project-updates/in-
your-neighborhood/neighborhood-work-notices
Every month, staff check the Flood Ready webpage on Valley Water's website to ensure
that it is operational and ensure the content is to up to date.
Valley Water Flood Watch map-based tool on the website:
https://gis.valleywater.orq/SCVWDFloodWatch/
Monitor reservoir, stream, rainfall levels with the ALERT Gauge System Real-Time Data
on the website: http://alert.valleywater.org/
Valley Water in Your Area tool on website homepage: https://www.valleywater.org/
Every year before winter, Valley Water Operations & Maintenance crews prepare
waterways to help carry floodwaters safely by conducting inspections and maintenance of
creeks. Crews remove vegetation and sediment to improve the flow of water. During the
rainy season, crews go out during and after storms to clear creeks that we manage of
debris and fallen trees that can cause blockage and result in flooding.
Valley Water sends thousands of flyers, Project Notices (previously Neighborhood Work
Notices) each year to residents and businesses located near a capital or maintenance
project site throughout the county. The notices are posted on Valley Water's website,
under the Project Updates webpage. Valley Water is dedicated to keeping residents and
businesses informed and safe through its flood protection programs and project. These
flyers contain a message to discourage illegal dumping in creeks and advertise a pollution
reporting hotline.
Valley Water's Sandbag Guidelines for Homeowners brochures are distributed at various
safety events and fairs throughout the county and are available in multiple language. The
- 85 -
brochures are made available to all cities and the county to distribute. Various sandbag
sites are managed by Valley Water and are open from late November through April each
season. Certain sites are stocked with filled sandbags, when available, during that
period. Additional sites are stocked with sand and empty bags for self-filling. A Sandbag
Distribution Sites map is distributed at events/fairs and the map is posted on Valley
Water's webpage. The map also includes information on several other sandbag stations
managed by various cities within Santa Clara County. "How to Properly Fill a Sandbag"
and "How to Protect Your Home with Sandbag" videos are also posted on Valley Water's
website.
Valley Water and Santa Clara County cities/county promote the county's AlertSCC and
ReadySCC (Ready Santa Clara County) emergency app and the American Red
Cross flood app. Communities encourage the public to download either/or both apps so
that they are prepared and are kept informed before, during and after an event. This
information is shared with the public at events/fairs and is included in several of Valley
Water's flyers/mailers.
Beginning in approximately June of each year, Valley Water participates in the California
Department of Water Resources' statewide agency coordination calls, leading up to
California Flood Preparedness Week (CFPW) held in October annually. Valley Water
encourages Santa Clara County cities/county to participate in the State's CFPW campaign
and offer support to the cities/county to promote participation. Each October, Valley Water
also executes a resolution declaring the designated week in October as CFPW in Santa
Clara County.
Valley Water also maintains a Flooding & Safety, Flood Protection Resources
webpage on their website: https://www.valleywater.org/floodready. As the flood protection
authority for Santa Clara County, flood protection is one of Valley Water's priorities. This
resourceful flood protection webpage provides a wealth of information to the residents and
businesses Valley Water serves. Information is provided to the public on flood
preparedness, including how to keep their family, property, and business flood safe.
Valley Water's Education Outreach Program reaches close to 19,000 students a year
throughout the county. The program offers age-appropriate curriculum on flood
preparedness either in a classroom setting or virtual events where students receive
information on how to prepare for a flood event.
- 86 -
APPENDIX C
Past Members of the Santa Clara County 2015 PPI Committee
Community Local Government External Stakeholders
Representative and Alternates
County of Santa Chris Freitas Trish Mulvey, CLEAN South
Clara Bay
Cupertino Chad Mosley, Senior Engineer Julia Kinst, Neighborhood
Winnie Pagan, Associate Civil Engineer Block Leader
Public Works Department
Gilroy Claudia Moran-Garcia, Civil Engineer I Mark Turner, Chamber of
Public Works Department Commerce
Maria Angeles, City Development Engineer,
CFM
Los Altos Aida Fairman, PE Brandi Garcia, PG&E
Associate Civil Engineer Pam Perdue, PG&E
Kathleen Gallagher, CSG Consultants, Inc.
Frank Navarro, CSG Consultants, Inc.
Milpitas Ahmed Aly, Principal Civil Engineer, CFM Donna Chiaramonte, State
Engineering Land Development Section Farm
Babak Kaderi, Assistant Civil Engineer
Engineering Land Development Section
Morgan Hill Charlie Ha, Associate Engineer Sanjar Chakamian, Morgan
Public Works Department Hill Downtown
Mountain View Renee Gunn, Associate Civil Engineer, CFM Lydia Kou, Real Estate Agent
Jacqueline Andrews Solomon, Assistant Erin McKeown, Google
Public Works Director/City Engineer, CFM
Palo Alto Rajeev Hada, Project Engineer, CFM Dan Melick, CERT Volunteer
Public Works Department, Engineering Services
Division
San Jose Arlene Lew, Floodplain Manager, CFM Erik Fong, Willow Glen
Department of Public Works Neighborhood Association
Linda Baker, Alain Pinel Realtor
Santa Clara Van Truong Kevin Moore, retired City
Falguni Amin, Acting Principal Engineer Council member
Public Works - Engineering
Sunnyvale Jennifer Ng, Senior Civil Engineer Kerry Haywood, Moffett Park
Public Works Business Group
Valley Water Pat Showalter, Sr. Project Manager Naomi Pease, American Red
Ricardo Barajas, Public Information Rep. II Cross
Merna Leal, Project Coordinator
- 87 -
Appendix D: Definitions of FEMA Flood Zone Designations
Definitions of FEMA Flood Zone Designations
Flood zones are geographic areas that the FEMA has defined according to varying levels of flood risk.
These zones are depicted on a community's Flood Insurance Rate Map(FIRM) or Flood Hazard Boundary
Map. Each zone reflects the severity or type of flooding in the area.
Moderate to Low Risk Areas
In communities that participate in the NFIP,flood insurance is available to all property owners and
renters in these zones:
ZONE DESCRIPTION
B and X(shaded) Area of moderate flood hazard, usually the area between the limits of the 100-
year and 500-year floods. B Zones are also used to designate base floodplains of
lesser hazards,such as areas protected by levees from 100-year flood,or shallow j
flooding areas with average depths of less than one foot or drainage areas less
than 1 square mile.
C and X Area of minimal flood hazard, usually depicted on FIRMS as above the 500-year
(unshaded) flood level. Zone C may have ponding and local drainage problems that don't
warrant a detailed study or designation as base floodplain. Zone X is the area
determined to be outside the 500-year flood and protected by levee from 100-
year flood.
High Risk Areas
In communities that participate in the NFIP, mandatory flood insurance purchase requirements apply to
all of these zones:
ZONE DESCRIPTION
A Areas with a 1%annual chance of flooding and a 26%chance of flooding over the life of
a 30-year mortgage. Because detailed analyses are not performed for such areas; no
depths or base flood elevations are shown within these zones.
AE The base floodplain where base flood elevations are provided.AE Zones are now used
on new format FIRMS instead of Al-A30 Zones.
Al-30 These are known as numbered A Zones (e.g.,A7 or A14).This is the base floodplain
where the FIRM shows a BFE (old format).
AH Areas with a 1%annual chance of shallow flooding, usually in the form of a pond,with
an average depth ranging from 1 to 3 feet. These areas have a 26%chance of flooding
over the life of a 30-year mortgage. Base flood elevations derived from detailed
analyses are shown at selected intervals within these zones.
AO River or stream flood hazard areas, and areas with a 1%or greater chance of shallow
flooding each year, usually in the form of sheet flow,with an average depth ranging
from 1 to 3 feet.These areas have a 26%chance of flooding over the life of a 30-year
mortgage.Average flood depths derived from detailed analyses are shown within these
zones.
AR Areas with a temporarily increased flood risk due to the building or restoration of a
flood control system (such as a levee or a dam). Mandatory flood insurance purchase
requirements will apply, but rates will not exceed the rates for unnumbered A zones if
the structure is built or restored in compliance with Zone AR floodplain management
regulations.
A99 Areas with a 1%annual chance of flooding that will be protected by a Federal flood
control system where construction has reached specified legal requirements. No depths
or base flood elevations are shown within these zones.
High Risk- Coastal Areas
In communities that participate in the NFIP, mandatory flood insurance purchase requirements apply to
all of these zones.
ZONE DESCRIPTION
V Coastal areas with a 1%or greater chance of flooding and an additional hazard
associated with storm waves.These areas have a 26%chance of flooding over the life of
a 30-year mortgage. No base flood elevations are shown within these zones.
VE,VI- 30 Coastal areas with a 1%or greater chance of flooding and an additional hazard
associated with storm waves.These areas have a 26% chance of flooding over the life of
a 30-year mortgage. Base flood elevations derived from detailed analyses are shown at
selected intervals within these zones.
Undetermined Risk Areas
ZONE DESCRIPTION
D Areas with possible but undetermined flood hazards. No flood hazard analysis has been
conducted. Flood insurance rates are commensurate with the uncertainty of the flood
risk.
From FEMA Map Service Center:
http•//msc fema gov/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/`info?storeld=10001&catalogld=10001&langid=-
1&content=floodZones&title=FEMA%20FIood%20Zone%20Designations
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