FEMA releases flood map

A revised flood map issued by the Federal Emergency Management Agency Jan. 31 classifies most of Foster City as a special flood hazard area that would require property owners with federally-insured mortgages to buy flood insurance.

The flood map will not impact insurance rates at least until December, however, as levee improvements the city of San Mateo is currently making should bring the Shoreview neighborhood and Foster City out of the flood zone completely.

Foster City received a revised preliminary Digital Flood Insurance Rate Map from FEMA Jan. 31.

San Mateo received the same letter, said Public Works Director Larry Patterson.

FEMA’s current timetable is to make the map effective by December of this year while San Mateo expects for the South Bayfront Levee project to be completed by the end of January 2012.

The San Mateo City Council committed $6 million in bonds for the project last month as residents on the east side of the city voted two years ago to assess themselves about $80 annually to pay for three miles of levee improvements. About 18,000 homes in San Mateo and Foster City would be forced to pay higher insurance rates if the neighborhood had not voted for the assessment.

The revised DFIRM is subject to a 90-day comment period after which FEMA will consider any comments prior to making a final determination.

After the letter of final determination is issued, property owners purchasing flood insurance prior to the DFIRM becoming effective will benefit from lower rates associated with Foster City’s current flood designation as being protected by levees.

In 2008, FEMA released a preliminary flood map that showed expanded areas in San Mateo County, including areas south of State Route 92 and all of Foster City that would be reclassified as special flood hazard zones. Areas designated as special flood hazard zones are susceptible to a 1 percent chance of a flood occurring in any given year, also referred to as a "100-year flood.”

Construction on the South Bayfront Levee project starts this month.

Until the DFIRM becomes effective, purchase of flood insurance is not required.

The San Mateo Public Works Department will send residents in the Shoreview neighborhood an update on the levee project next week.