Flooding in Santa Rosa: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Santa Rosa, CA, with its combination of creeks, valleys, and its location near the Russian River, is subject to recurring flood threats. Winter rainfall, rapid snowmelt from neighboring mountains, and periodic atmospheric rivers commonly cause waterways to overflow. Even suburbs away from the river suffer from flooding as a result of storm drain overflows and saturated soil.

Studies indicate that as many as 45% of homes in Santa Rosa run the risk of flooding as of today. And, FEMA estimates that just one inch of water inside a home can cause over $25,000 in damage. Yet, many homeowners in Santa Rosa don’t realize that standard homeowners' insurance does not cover flood damage. To stay protected, you’ll need a separate private flood insurance policy.

Flood Zones in Santa Rosa

Large portions of Santa Rosa fall into FEMA-designated flood zones, particularly along the Santa Rosa Creek, Brush Creek, Matanzas Creek, and the Russian River corridor. Homes in Zone AE are considered high risk and usually require flood insurance if financed through federally backed mortgages.
However, danger is not confined to areas that have been mapped. Zone X properties (moderate to low risk) have also had high-cost flood incidents, particularly during heavy rainstorms. In fact, FEMA indicates that close to 40% of flood claims originate outside of high-risk areas.