The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) designates certain areas as Special Flood Hazard Areas. They are also called "100-year floodplains", meaning that a flood has a one percent chance of occurring in any given year. Floodplains are the areas along rivers or streams that have been or may be covered by a flood.
FEMA creates flood insurance rate maps that:
- Identify where the Special Flood Hazard Areas are likely to occur along major creeks and rivers
- Are used by insurance companies to establish flood insurance premium rates
Flood Insurance
Most property insurance policies do not cover losses due to flooding. However, the City of Lincoln participates in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). This means that residents can purchase a separate flood insurance policy. This insurance is backed by the federal government and is available to anyone who has property in the City, even if it is not in a Special Flood Hazard Area.
Homes and businesses located within Special Flood Hazard Areas, that have a federally backed mortgage, require flood insurance policy coverage.
For Flood Insurance Information:
- Contact your insurance agent
- Call the NFIP customer service line at 1-800-621-3362
- Visit the FEMA website
Flood Determination
To see if your property is affected by the new floodplain mapping, please submit a Flood Determination Application.
You will need an Assessor Parcel Number (APN). Please visit the Placer County Website for information.
New, preliminary FEMA Flood Maps
FEMA has issued new, preliminary Flood Maps for parts of Placer County.
The City of Lincoln hosted a Public Workshop on January 15, 2025 to discuss the mapping process and the changes to the flood maps. Representatives from FEMA, Lincoln, Placer County Flood Control and Water Conservation District, and the Placer County Stormwater and Floodplain Department were present to answer questions from the public as they relate to the floodplain.
Click on this link to see the presentation
FEMA is requesting comments during a 90-day period from January 18, 2025 to April 18, 2025 on proposed flood hazard determinations, which may include additions or modifications of any Base Flood Elevation (BFE), base flood depth, Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) boundary or zone designation, or regulatory floodway on the Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs), and where applicable, in the supporting Flood Insurance Study (FIS) reports for the affected communities. The FIRM and FIS report are the basis of the floodplain management measures that the community is required either to adopt or to show evidence of having in effect in order to qualify or remain qualified for participation in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).
Western Placer areas with new mapping are those along Dry Creek, Pleasant Grove South, Secret Ravine Upper Fork, Markham Ravine, Racoon creek and Doty Ravine. In addition, Tahoe has new areas of mapping which include those along Griff Creek, Tahoe Vista Creek and Blackwood Creek.
For more information on flood insurance, or to find an insurance agent, visit www.floodsmart.gov. If you would like information on the pending map changes, please visit the County website at www.placer.ca.gov/floodplain.
More Information
What Property Owners Need to Know about Flood Maps– FEMA
Homeowner's Guide to Elevation Certificates – FEMA
Map of FEMA Floodplain Study Locations
Additional Links
Learn more about FEMA processes to modify flood zone determinations
Placer County's Floodplain Management Website