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  1. Planning & Building
  2. Flood Zone Resources

Flood Zone Resources

Know Your Flood Zone

During strong storm events, heavy rain and coastal overtopping can lead to flooding in certain low lying areas of the City. This means that for the majority of properties in the Belvedere Lagoon and West Shore Road neighborhoods, you are in a special flood hazard area. FEMA has designated properties in these areas as being in either an AE or VE Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA). To determine your property's SFHA, you may search by address at FEMA's Flood Map Service Center.

Flood Preparedness

Flooding in Belvedere may occur when heavy rainfall is combined with high tide. Storm runoff can also cause flooding to hillside homes. Preparation before a flood event can save property and lives.

Flood Maps

FEMA's Flood Map Service Center allows you to search by address for an area's flood map to help determine where flooding is likely to occur.

Know the Flood Warning Signals: Early Warning & Notification Systems

In the event of a flood or other natural disaster, there are several methods used to warn the community as early as possible. Four sirens installed around the Tiburon Peninsula will sound alerting residents to the situation. For important information and updates, residents should tune their radio to SNAP 1140 a.m. (Siren Notification Alerting the Peninsula). Residents may also sign up for the Alert Marin emergency notification system to receive essential information about tests and emergencies sent directly to their home phone, cell phone, text, or email. Finally, residents may sign up to be alerted to a variety of community alerts and notifications. During a flooding event, updates will be posted on the City's website in an emergency banner at the top of the page.

Protect your Property from the Hazard: Flood Safety Precautions

The Tiburon Peninsula's disaster preparedness organization, Get Ready 94920, provides many resources for Belvedere residents, including classes and resources to prepare your home for a flooding event or other natural disaster. Below are a few of their flood precaution tips:

  • If your house is in the path of heavy runoff, keep sandbags, plywood, plastic sheeting, and lumber on hand to divert water.
  • If your house is in a low lying flat area and your basement is subject to flooding, consider installing a sump pump with generator back up.
  • Keep gutters free of leaves and debris.
  • If there is a possibility that water will engulf electrical or gas outlets, turn of electricity and gas meters.
  • Don't walk through flood waters that are more than knee deep. If you are trapped in your home, wait for help to come.

Evacuation Routes

City of Belvedere Evacuation Map

Shelter Locations

Shelter locations will vary depending on the specifics of a disaster situation and will be decided on in coordination with the Red Cross to determine the location that best suits the needs of the effected residents. The pre-designated shelter locations on the Peninsula include:

  • Bel Aire School
  • Community Congregational Church
  • Del March School
  • Kol Shofar
  • Reed School
  • St. Hilary School
  • St. Stephen's Church
  • Tiburon Baptist Church
  • Westminster Presbyterian Church

Building & Development in the Floodplain

Get a Permit before you Build! Properties located in the AE and VE SFHA Zones have special building requirements. Please contact the Building Department at (415) 435-3838 before you begin your building projects in order to insure compliance.

The following handouts were created to assist in your floodplain building project:

Insuring your Property against Flood Hazards

Certain areas of the City of Belvedere may be prone to flooding. Flooding is not covered by normal homeowners' insurance, and a separate flood policy is necessary. Flood insurance is available to the community through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), a program backed by the Federal Government and FEMA.

More information is available through the the official site of the NFIP, FloodSmart.gov, or FEMA's NFIP website.

Protecting Natural Floodplain Functions

Belvedere is surrounded by water resources that should be protected. No pollutants down the storm drains; they drain to the Bay!

More information is available through the website of the Marin County Stormwater Pollution Prevention Program (MCSTOPPP). Belvedere is a member of MCSTOPPP.

San Francisco Bay Tidal Gauge

On June 30, 1854, the United States Coast Survey installed a self-recording tide gauge in San Francisco Bay. This station has measured the rise and fall of tides continuously ever since, even surviving the 1906 earthquake, making it the nation's oldest continually operating tidal observation station. Located in the Presidio, the gauge at Station ID 9414290 provides real-time tidal information of the San Francisco Bay.

Elevation Certificates

The City of Belvedere maintains records of the elevation certificates for all new building projects in the flood zone. To view these certificates, please visit City Hall.

Helpful Links

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