Floodplain Management

Flood Zones

Find your FEMA flood zone and other locally determined flood hazard areas by calling the San Joaquin Department of Public Works Water Resources Division at (209) 468-3605 or by clicking on the following link: http://www.sjmap.org/floodzoneviewer/Viewer.asp

FEMA’s Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs), which map SFHAs, are also available through FEMA’s website at https://msc.fema.gov/. Paper copies of FIRMs, along with other flood awareness publications, are available for review at:

• Cesar Chavez Central Library, 605 North El Dorado Street, Stockton, California
• San County Department of Public Works, 1810 East Hazelton Avenue, Stockton, California

It doesn’t end with the FEMA flood zones. Other critical habitat and areas of risk are featured in the following map resources:

• Areas mapped in the National Wetlands Inventory
• Areas mapped as critical habitat by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
• Expansive & Subsidence Soils Areas Map
• Historical Flood Area Map
• 200-Year Floodplain Viewer

FEMA Elevation Certificates are used to accurately rate flood insurance policies. Elevation Certificate information about structures built or substantially improved in SFHAs since 1992 are available to the public by contacting San Joaquin County Public Works Department at (209) 468-3089.

Protect Yourself

Interactive Flood Zone Viewer

In the event of a flood it is important to protect yourself and your loved ones. Avoid walking or driving through flood water; just six inches of moving water can knock down an adult, and a car can be swept away in as little as one foot of water. Have an emergency kit prepared. This should include a battery or crank powered AM/FM radio, a flashlight, a first aid kit, water (one gallon per person per day), and copies of important family documents such as prescriptions, proof of address, and passports. For a complete list, visit the Ready.gov website.

Pay attention to emergency alerts, TV, or radio for weather updates, emergency instructions, and evacuation orders. Flood warnings are disseminated by the Emergency Alert System through local radio and television stations and by NOAA Weather radio at 162.55 MHz. Follow the San Joaquin Office of Emergency Services on Twitter, Facebook, and Youtube for up-to-date local emergency information. You can also check out the county flood ALERT site to for forecasts, gage maps, and flood guidance.

After a flood, avoid contact with floodwater, which may contain contaminants. If there are power lines down around your home, report them immediately to the electrical company and do not step in puddles or standing water. If any gas or electrical appliances were flooded, don’t use them until they have been checked for safety.

Find your evacuation route: http://www.sjmap.org/evacmaps/
Find a shelter: https://www.sjgov.org/department/oes/care-shelter

Protect Your Home

Damage from just one inch of water can cost more than $20,000. There are floodproofing improvements that can be done to your structure that may reduce the damage caused by flooding. If you are at risk to flooding you should consider the feasibility of floodproofing your facility like elevating your building or wet floodproofing.
The most reliable way to protect your property from flood damage is to build outside of a flood hazard area. If you are located in a flood hazard area, you can minimize likelihood of damage through low cost measures including:

• Raise your furnace, water heater, and electric panel to higher floors or the attic if they are in areas of your home that may be flooded.
• Install check valves in plumbing to prevent floodwater from backing up into the drains of your home.
• Seal walls in basements with waterproofing compounds to avoid seepage through cracks.
• Move furniture and any other valuables to higher floors.
• Keep materials like sandbags, plywood, plastic sheeting and lumber handy for emergency waterproofing.
• Clearing brush and debris away from storm drains and ditches so water can drain away from the structure.

More ideas and information on forms of financial assistance to mitigate the negative effects of flooding can be found in the Flood Protection for your Home or Business factsheet.

Upon request, San Joaquin County Public Works staff are available for site visits to review flood, drainage, and sewer issues and provide information on mitigation and retrofitting options. They can also answer site-specific questions about historic flooding and flood insurance claims. Questions and requests can be directed through GORequest.

If your home or business is in or located near a flood hazard area, you should have flood insurance. You can purchase flood insurance even if you are not located in a FEMA SFHA. Remember: homeowner’s insurance does not cover flood damage.

FEMA Elevation Certificates are used to accurately rate flood insurance policies. Elevation certificates for structures built or substantially improved in SFHAs since 1992 are available to the public by calling (209) 468-9596.

SFHA Construction Booklet
Elevation Certificate and Instructions