Flood Zone Info. (FEMA)
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is updating Stanislaus County’s flood maps in 2020. New maps identify the current flood hazards, assess flood risks, and provide data to guide local stakeholders in taking effective mitigation actions, resulting in safer and more resilient communities.
Before the new Stanislaus Flood Insurance Rate Maps become effective, there is a 90-day appeal period starting July 30 and ending October 28, 2020. During that time, residents with technical and scientific information, such as detailed hydraulic or hydrologic data, can appeal the flood risk information on the preliminary maps.
Flood hazards are dynamic and change frequently for many reasons including weather patterns, erosion, and community development. FEMA, Stanislaus County and the cities of Ceres, Modesto, Newman, and Patterson worked together to collect new or updated flood hazard data and modernize the flood maps to reflect these changes, which may also affect building or insurance requirements.
The local mapping project is part of a nationwide effort led by FEMA to increase local knowledge of flood risks and support actions to address and reduce the effects of flooding on new and improved structures. FEMA encourages residents to review the preliminary flood maps to learn about local flood risks, potential future flood insurance requirements, and identify any concerns or questions about the information provided.
Risk of flooding affects almost every corner of the nation. In total, 98% of counties have experienced a flood event, which makes floods the most common and widespread of all weather-related natural disasters.
For further details, contact your local Floodplain Administrator:
Stanislaus County, Denny Ferreira at ferreirad@stancounty.com
City of Modesto, Oscar Diaz at (209) 571-5885 or odiaz@modestogov.com
City of Ceres, Daniel Padilla at Daniel.Padilla@ci.ceres.ca.us
City of Newman, Maria Encinas at mencinas@ci.patterson.ca.us
Draft flood hazard information for the City of Modesto is available for review using FEMA's website here:
https://www.fema.gov/view-your-communitys-preliminary-flood-hazard-data