Floodplain Management

NEW: FEMA SUSPENDS REVIEW OF CLOMR-F AND LOMR-F APPLICATIONS

Effective July 1, 2023, FEMA will temporarily suspend processing applications for Letters of Map Revision based on Fill (LOMR-Fs) and Conditional Letters of map Revision based on Fill (CLOMR-Fs) in the City of Pleasant Hill. See the FEMA notification linked below for more information.
FEMA Letter: Temporary Suspension of CLOMR-F & LOMR-F Applications

Flood Insurance Rate Maps for Pleasant Hill

Program Overview

The creeks in Pleasant Hill 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, 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.

In addition, the City of Pleasant Hill 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.

Visit Floodsmart 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.

Residents can visit the Contra Costa County Rain Gauge page for information on rainfall totals from a number of stations around the county.

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 Pleasant Hill, are available through the local library and by request at the City Hall.

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 Engineering Division at (925) 671-5264.

The City’s Floodplain Management Program is responsible for implementing the City’s Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance. In addition, the City participates in the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA’s) Community Rating System (CRS) program, which provides for public outreach, higher building standards in the floodplain, and creek and drainage system maintenance, all of which reduce the amount of potential flood damage in the City.

If you plan to do any improvements in the floodplain area, you may be required to apply for a Floodplain Development Permit.