New maps to understand flood risk are available online from the state Department of Water Resources.
The maps are intended to show "best available" flood-risk information for 32 counties in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Valley watershed.
They do not replace any official risk maps prepared by the Federal Emergency Management Agency to set flood insurance requirements.
Rather, they use additional geographic and hydrologic data to provide more information.
For instance, many residents will find the maps show their home in a 200-year flood zone, a lower-risk category than the typical 100-year zone employed by FEMA, but still considered potentially hazardous in a severe storm.
The maps were required by Senate Bill 5, adopted in 2007.
Urban areas are not required to curb development according to the new maps. But by 2014 they must have plans in place to provide 200-year protection for new development.
To find the maps, visit www.water.ca.gov/ and enter "best available maps" in the search window.
– Matt Weiser
