City of Milpitas Flood Information

FLOODING WITHIN THE CITY OF MILPITAS
Important Information Concerning Flooding Potential in Milpitas

Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHAs): Certain areas have been designated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) as Special Flood Hazard Areas. Approximately one-quarter of the City is within these flood zones (see flood map in this brochure). SFHAs are areas within the 100-year flood boundary as mapped by FEMA. A “100-year flood” refers to a flood level with a 1 percent or greater chance of being equaled or exceeded in any given year. There is a 26% chance that a structure located in an SFHA will be inundated by a 100-year flood during the life of a 30-year mortgage. In comparison, the risk of fire is approximately 5% in the same time period. Smaller floods have a greater chance of occurring in any given year and can still create a significant hazard to life and property.

In Milpitas, SFHAs are generally located near the following major creeks: Calera, Penitencia, Berryessa, Los Coches, and Tularcitos. The Santa Clara Valley Water District (SCVWD) is responsible for improvements to and maintenance of these major creeks. In 1997, a majority of the area west of I-880 was removed from the SFHA after Coyote Creek improvements were completed.

Local Flood Hazard: Flooding in our City is caused by: A creek overtopping its banks; Clogged catch basin or storm drains; Poor site drainage; Mud and debris laden flows from the hills above Milpitas. To find out the flood hazard of your property, or information on flood related questions, call the City Engineering Division at (408) 586-3327.

City Flood Service: If requested, the City staff will visit a property to review its flood problem and explain ways to stop flooding or prevent flood damage. Flood maps and flood protection references are also available at the Milpitas Library, 40 N. Milpitas Blvd., (408) 262-1171.

For information on selecting a qualified architect, engineer, or contractor, including filing a complaint for unsatisfactory performance, call the City Building Department at (408) 586-3240.

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• Know the flood warning procedures and plan escape routes to high ground
• Monitor the level of water in the street or flood control channel
• Stay tuned to the radio (RADIO MILPITAS 1620 AM) or TV (Channel 15) for possible flood warnings
• Turn off water and electricity in your home during flood emergencies; turn off gas only if you smell gas
• Be especially cautious at night

For additional information on the City's flood warning and emergency response plan contact City Office of Emergency Services, Fire Department Headquarters, 777 South Main Street, (408) 586-3327. Also, see the “Winter Storm Preparedness” handout included herein.

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Floor Elevation: New buildings in the SFHA must have their lowest floor elevation (excluding garage) floodproofed or raised a minimum of 1 foot above the base flood (100-year) elevation.

Substantial Improvement (SI): Substantially improved structures in the SFHA must meet the same floodplain construction requirements as new buildings. SI is defined as any reconstruction, rehabilitation, addition, or other improvement of a structure, the cost of which equals or exceeds forty-nine (49) percent of the fair market value of the structure before the start of the new construction. Improvements to any structure within the SFHA are cumulatively tracked for 10 years.

Substantial Damage (SD): Substantially damaged structures (a structure damaged so that the cost of repairs equals or exceeds 49% of the structure’s value before it was damaged) in the SFHA must also meet the same floodplain construction requirements as new buildings. To find out more about these requirements, contact the City Engineering Division at (408) 586-3327.

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• Provide adequate drainage paths around structures on slopes.
• Elevate or relocate electrical panel boxes, furnaces, water heaters, and appliances to an area that is less likely to be flooded.
• Move essential items and valuables to the upper floors of your home if flooding is likely.
• Keep materials such as sandbags, plywood, and plastic sheeting handy for emergency waterproofing. Sandbags can be obtained at the City Corporation yard, located at 1265 N. Milpitas Blvd., (408) 586-2600. For other sandbag locations, call SCVWD at (408) 265-2600, or visit their web site at www.heynoah.com.
• Anchor the structure to prevent flotation, collapse or lateral movement.
• Elevate homes so that the lowest floor is a minimum of 1 foot above the base flood elevation.

For more information about how to protect your property from floods or retrofitting techniques, call the City Engineering Division at (408) 586-3327 or visit the Milpitas Public Library, 40 N Milpitas Blvd., (408) 262-1171

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Homes and business located within SFHAs are required to be covered under a flood insurance policy as a condition of federally funded loans or mortgages. The minimum standard flood insurance coverage required by the federal government for a SFHA property is the lesser of the following: 1) the outstanding mortgage balance on the structure, 2) the replacement cost of the structure, or 3) $250,000 for a residential structure, and $500,000 for industrial/commercial. This insurance coverage limit does not apply to property outside the SFHA.

Community Rating System (CRS): The NFIP created the Community Rating System (CRS) to promote flood awareness and reduce flood losses. The City of Milpitas is a participant of the program and is ranked among the highest in the nation for its flood mitigation efforts. As the result, the residents of Milpitas who purchase flood insurance enjoy a 20% automatic reduction of their insurance premiums.

Elevation Certificate (EC): An Elevation Certificate provides elevation information necessary to determine the proper insurance premium rate. If your house is at or above the base flood elevation, you could receive a substantial discount on your flood insurance premium by providing an EC to your insurance agent. For properties in flood Zone AO, an EC can be filled out by the property owner or the owner’s representative. For all other flood zones, they have to be prepared by a surveyor or engineer. Copies of the form and instruction packet are available from the City Engineering Division at (408) 586-3327 or downloaded from FEMA’s website at http://www.fema.gov/nfip/elvinst.shtm.

City of Milpitas maintains the Elevation Certificates of all the new and substantially improved buildings in the SFHA. To obtain a copy of the certificates or help in preparing one, call the City Engineering Division at (408) 586-3327.

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