FEMA Makes Changes To Preliminary Flood Insurance Rate Map

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has made changes to the preliminary flood insurance rate map showing the Natomas area to be excluded from the high-risk designation applicable to most of the Sacramento area.

"It is important for people to know their flood risks," FEMA Associate Director for Mitigation Mike Armstrong said. "These maps, which become final on July 6, provide an accurate reflection of the very real risk of floods."

The new maps show most of the floodplains in Sacramento City and County to be AR Flood Zones while the flood control system along the American River is upgraded.

"AR Zones are a special designation, to be in effect only while levee restoration is underway," Armstrong said. "New certifications and information required us to make some changes about which areas will be classified AR Zones."

Armstrong said that FEMA is continuing with plans to publish new flood insurance maps on July 6, 1998, showing areas of some communities in and around Sacramento to be at high flood risk while improvements are being made to flood protection systems.

The changes announced affect the Natomas area in the city and county of Sacramento. Most of the area will be shown as an area with no special flood hazard. However, some interior drainage areas in the Natomas region will be designated as a special flood hazard area, Zone A. Owners of properties in that zone will be required to have flood insurance and new structures will have to meet elevation requirements.

Federal law requires communities participating in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) to ensure that new construction in flood hazard areas complies with floodplain management ordinances to protect property. It also requires flood insurance in connection with loans from a federal agency, federally regulated lenders and/or to remain eligible for or receiving certain types of government disaster aid.

In the Natomas East Stream Group Area, installation of a pump/dam resulted in changes in the delineation of the floodplain and a reduction in elevation requirements. Most of the area will be Zone AE, a special flood hazard area on the new map. Properties in this zone are required to be insured for floods, but elevation requirements for new construction will be less than previously thought, because of protection afforded by the pump/dam.

Except for the Natomas area, most areas in and around Sacramento that are currently designated A99 Zones will be changed to AR Zones, effective July 6, 1998. Both AR and AE Zones will have more restrictive requirements for new construction than previously when they were designated A99 Zones.

"What is important to remember is that, except for the Natomas area, most A99 zones will become AR Zones, and if flood insurance is purchased before the new maps go into effect on July 6, property owners will get a lower premium than if they wait until after July 6," Armstrong said.