The creeks in San Ramon are very effective at moving water under normal storm conditions. However, during torrential rains it is possible that they will reach their capacity and flooding may occur, particularly if any of these waterways become obstructed.
To reduce potential flood hazards, City of San Ramon Public Services staff regularly inspects its public facilities, including, but not limited to, storm drains, ditches, and creeks, throughout the year. Each autumn they remove both naturally-occurring debris and illegally dumped materials from the City’s drainage facilities. Areas most susceptible to flooding in San Ramon are along San Ramon Creek, San Catanio Creek, and South San Ramon Creek.
In addition, the City of San Ramon assists all property owners by participating in the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA’s) Community Rating System (CRS) Program. The CRS Program is a voluntary incentive Program that recognizes and encourages community floodplain management activities that exceed the minimum National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) requirements. As a result of the City’s participation in this Program, private property owners benefit with a discount on their private property flood insurance premiums. As part of this Program, each year Engineering staff sends notices to flood zone property owners located within areas designated as Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHAs). These areas are designated by FEMA through a Flood Insurance Study (FIS) and mapped on a Flood Rate Insurance Map (FIRM). Lenders may require that residents carry flood insurance if your building is located in a SFHA. Residents in or near a SFHA who are not required to do so should also consider obtaining flood insurance, and will benefit from a similar discount as well.
Did you know that FEMA studies show that properties in a high-risk flood zone area are five times (5x) more likely to be damaged by flooding than fire? In 2003, FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) awarded over $601 million in flood claims to insured residents. Roughly 25% of all claims paid by the NFIP to insured residents are for policies in low-to moderate-risk communities. As a result, the City strongly urges all property owners in high-, medium-, and low-risk flood zone areas to obtain flood insurance to protect your private property. Without flood insurance, you will not be eligible to participate in this national insurance program, and may be financially responsible for any losses you incur due to a flood. To determine if your property is in a flood zone, click here and enter your property’s address or call the City’s Engineering Services Department at (925) 973-2670.
Please visit http://www.floodsmart.gov on the Internet for information on FEMA and the National Flood Insurance Program. This website offers valuable information on what the NFIP is and how it can help you as a homeowner prevent loss due to flood damage.
In addition to obtaining flood insurance for your private property, property owners can prevent and minimize damage by flood proofing your property. Flood proofing information, along with copies of the FIS and FIRMs for San Ramon, are available through the local library and by request at the City’s Engineering Services office at 2401 Crow Canyon Road in San Ramon.
In the event of a flood or other hazard, you should turn to your local radio or television stations for information. If an evacuation is required, Police will attempt to notify area residents via loudspeaker. For suggestions on where to obtain supplies such as sandbags, contact the Public Services Division at (925) 973-2800. Staff may also be able to provide assistance or give other valuable information.
The Contra Costa County Flood Control and Water Conservation District provides additional flood-related resources. Click on the following for more info:
For information on FEMA’s or the National Flood Insurance Program, please visit www.fema.gov or www.floodsmart.gov
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Click to expand these links below to learn about Flood Hazards: