Flood Preparedness

West Sac Flood Protect has a new Flood Challenge computer game that educates children in grades 1 through 4 about the importance of flood preparedness. The game officially launched on October 19 to kick-off Flood Preparedness Week. 

CA Flood Preparedness Week was October 19-23 visit our news page for more information!

While levees provide the first line of protection against catastrophic floods, it takes much less than a levee break for a flood to leave its mark. Even a few inches of water can cause thousands of dollars in damage. So what can you do to prepare for a flood? It’s simple: Plan. Pack. Protect.

  1. Plan for a flood emergency. This includes evacuation routes, lists of important phone numbers and other details about how your family is prepared for a flood.
  2. Pack items that your family should have in your emergency preparedness kit.
  3. Protect your home and everything in it with flood insurance. 

Check out these resources to help you and your family prepare for a flood. We hope you don’t ever have to evacuate or shelter in place because of a flood. But, if that ever happens, you’ll be grateful you were prepared!

Plan

Download and fill out the information below. Russian and Spanish versions are now available. We recommend having a printed copy you can take with you in case you have to evacuate. Keep it with your emergency preparedness kit!

Pack

Pack an emergency preparedness kit – these are the items you and your family should have prepared.

Protect

Protect your home and property with flood insurance. The City of West Sacramento participates in FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).  This allows residents and property owners in the city to purchase federally-subsidized flood insurance.  Currently, flood insurance is not mandatory, but West Sacramento strongly recommends that all property owners purchase and maintain flood insurance at all times.  Flooding is NOT covered under your home or business owner's insurance policy, a flood insurance policy must be purchased separately.  Typically, there is a 30-day waiting period from the date of purchase before your policy goes into effect.    Visit FEMA's website for detailed information on how to protect your home and family.

Visit the City of West Sacramento's emergency preparedness page for evacuation maps and additional information.

Make a plan, be ready for disaster, and visit www.Ready.gov

 Protect the People from the Hazard

The safety of your family is the most important consideration.  Since floodwaters rise very rapidly, you should be prepared to evacuate before the floodwaters reach your property. Do not stand or walk in floodwaters that are knee-deep or higher. Driving in flooded areas should also be avoided as the water level can rise quickly and sweep the car (and it's occupants) away.  Please see the City's Emergency Evacuation Map located here.

 Protect Your Property from the Hazard

Floodproofing

Aside from having a flood insurance policy, there are floodproofing improvements that can be made to your structure that may reduce the damage caused by flooding. If you are at risk of flooding, you should consider the feasibility of floodproofing your facility, such as elevating the building, or using flood resistant materials.  For more information on the type of improvements that might best fit your building, you can contact the Community Development Department at (916) 617-4645 or visit the FEMA website at:  www.ready.gov/floods  

Emergency Floodproofing

Emergency measures are temporary and are usually implemented after a flood warning has been issued.  They are not permanent flood proofing installations, and they require removal and cleanup after floodwaters have receded.  The most common measure used to keep water out of the structure is by erecting a sandbag wall.  However it does take a considerable amount of money, time, and manpower.  Other temporary barriers may be made out of sand, rock, and lumber provided they are watertight with impermeable sheeting.

Maintaining the Drainage System

Levee failure isn't the only possibility of flooding in the city.  Localized flooding is also a threat.  Proper maintenance of the city's drainage system is essential to reap the full economic and environmental benefits of the system.  You can do your part by checking the areas around your property that are prone to flooding.  For subsurface systems, regularly make sure outlet ditches are not blocked with sediment and inlet covers are not sealed with debris.  With surface drainage systems, regularly inspect the outlet channel and ditches after each heavy rain and remove silt deposits or other obstructions.  Brushy types of vegetation, such as cattails, willows, and cottonwoods, are a menace to surface ditches. Cut or spray them once or twice each year as needed.  To report illegal dumping of the City's storm water system, please call non-emergency dispatch at (916) 372-3375.

 

West Sac Water System

Graphic showing flood waters in the Yolo Bypass.

 Build Responsibly

Click here to find a list of common projects that require a building permit.  If you have questions on whether your project requires a building permit, you should contact the Building Division for a determination. Please report any illegal development to the Building Division.  Click here for a link to the City of West Sacramento building code and other helpful documents.  Click here for a link to the City's Municipal Code (Title 15 - Buildings and Construction).

City of West Sacramento Community Development Department

Building Division

1110 West Capitol Ave., 2nd Floor

West Sacramento, CA 95691

916-617-4683