Community Development

Main: (714) 536-5241
Fax: (714) 374-1647

Walk-in Hours:
Monday–Friday 8:00 am to 3:00 pm

*Email [email protected] for requests outside of walk-in hours

Flood Information

Flood Control Channel Problem (trash, debris, fence)

Historical flooding of Huntington Beach dates back to 1825. The most recent flooding was February 6 and 7, 1998, when a constant rainfall and heavy downpour caused street closures, intersection flooding, and up to 2-3 feet deep flooding in a mobile home park. A tornado caused damage on February 24, 1998, to a mobile home park.

Flooding can come with little warning. Residents in flood prone areas will be warned of an actual emergency condition by the sounding of a steady siren tone lasting three minutes. This signal will be provided by one or more local fire stations. Warning and emergency procedures will be announced on local cable TV, HBTV-3 (Channel 3) and radio stations KWVE (107.9 FM) and KXMX (95.9 FM).

Although improvements to the Santa Ana River have reduced potential flood impacts, flooding in our city may occur. It may be caused by the Santa Ana River, East Garden Grove Wintersburg Channel, Talbert Channel, Huntington Beach Channel, or the Pacific Ocean. Most floods occur when the floodwaters leave the river or channels; however, abnormally large sea waves (tsunamis) from the ocean may create flooding near the coastline.

To determine if flood insurance is required for your property and to obtain flood protection advice, you may contact the Planning Division staff at (714) 536-5271.

FLOOD INSURANCE

Homeowner's insurance policies do not cover damage from floods. Because Huntington Beach participates in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), you can purchase a separate flood insurance policy. This insurance is backed by the Federal government and is available to everyone, even for properties that have been flooded. If you don't have flood insurance, talk to your insurance agent.

Some people have purchased flood insurance because it was required when they got a mortgage or home improvement loan. Insurance is available for tenants to protect their personal property against flood loss and to property owners with older mortgages that do not require it.

More information about NFIP flood insurance requirements is available on this FEMA handout and on the internet at FEMA's Website. The site contains hazard information, a general flood map, and a frequently asked question page. You may contact them at 1-888-CALL-FLOOD or visit www.floodsmart.gov.

WHAT YOU CAN DO:

Flood damage protection depends also on your cooperation and assistance. Here is how you can help:

Always check with the City before you build on, alter, regrade, or add fill to your property. A permit is required to ensure that projects do not cause problems on other properties.
If you see building construction without a City permit inspection card posted, contact the Building Division at (714) 536-5241.
Check out information on floodproofing, flood insurance, and flood safety by calling the Planning Division at (714) 536-5271.
Do not dump or throw anything in the storm drain catch basins or flood control channels. Dumping is a violation of the City's Municipal Code Section 14.24.030 and 14.24.035. Even grass clippings and branches can accumulate and plug the drainage system. The City has a flood control channel maintenance program which helps remove major blockages such as weeds and other debris. A plugged drain or channel cannot carry water, and when it rains, the water has to go somewhere. Every piece of trash contributes to flooding.
If you see dumping or debris in the gutters, catch basins, or channels, contact the Public Works Department at (714) 536-5431.
FEMA Flood Resistant Materials

CONSTRUCTION WITHIN FLOODPLAIN:

When a property is located in the floodplain, all new construction or substantial improvement that equals or exceeds 50% of the building's depreciated value is required to comply with the City's floodplain overlay regulations which require elevation of residential structures. Nonresidential structures may be elevated and/or flood-proofed. A completed flood elevation certificate must be submitted to the City following completion of the structure's lowest floor. FEMA elevation and floodproofing certificate forms are located below:
(Please note that the documents will not be viewable in the browser. Please download the documents and open in a PDF viewer such as Adobe Reader.)

Flood Worksheet -- Revised October 2010

Flood Elevation Certificate Form (Expires June 2026)

Flood Elevation Certificate Form for Zone A (Expires June 2026)

Floodproofing Certificate Form (Expires Nov. 2022)

FLOOD UPDATES

New Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRM)

On December 3, 2009, FEMA released new Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) for the City of Huntington Beach and related Flood Insurance Studies (FIS) for Orange County. The revised maps are slightly different from their predecessor in that the maps are provided in both a hardcopy and digital format. The most notable change to the maps includes aerial photography superimposed on each map panel that will make it easier to determine flood zone boundaries and render flood zone determinations. All other standard information presently on the maps will remain the same with exception of one discrepancy. The most recent Letter of Map Revision (LOMR) effective on March 30, 2009, which removed the southeast section of the City from flood zone "AE" to "X", is not reflected on the maps and therefore depicts the previous "AE" designation for that area. However, FEMA has revalidated the previous LOMR with new maps dated December 15, 2009 (Case No. 09-09-2810P). Copies of the new FIRMs and LOMR can be obtained at the links located below or they can be viewed online through FEMA's website. FEMA's online format allows you to print a portion of the FIRM as it pertains to your area, called a "FIRMette". Directions for searching for a particular map and making a FIRMette can be obtained at the FEMA Flood Map Service Center website https://msc.fema.gov/portal/home. Should you have any questions regarding the flood maps, please contact the Community Development Department at (714) 536-5271.

Note: The PDF Flood Insurance Rate Maps below are best viewed by downloading and opening them with the Adobe Acrobat reader or the MS IE web browser.

Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) December 3, 2009

Panel 118 Panel 119 Panel 227
Panel 229 Panel 231 Panel 232
Panel 233 Panel 234 Panel 241
Panel 242 Panel 244 Panel 251
Panel 253 Panel 261 Panel 262
Panel 263 Panel 264

Flood Insurance Study (FIS) December 3, 2009

Volume 1 Volume 2 Volume 3

Letter of Map Revision - Clarification September 2, 2009

Letter of Map Revision -- Cover Letter December 15, 2009

Letter of Map Revision December 15, 2009

Map Revision for Huntington Harbour

The flood zone boundaries of Huntington Harbour have been revised pursuant to a Letter of Map Revision (LOMR) dated September 27, 2010 (Case No. 10-09-2398P), which aligns these boundaries with the existing contours of the channels. The realignment designates all areas within the channels as flood zone AE and all non-submerged waterfront lots as flood zone X(shaded). The revised maps affect a number of waterfront properties abutting Huntington Harbour. A copy of the LOMR can be obtained at the link located below.

Letter of Map Revision September 27, 2010

Map Revision for Huntington Harbour and Sunset Beach

On March 21, 2019, FEMA released new Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) for Huntington Beach’s coastline area and related Flood Insurance Studies (FIS) for Orange County. The flood zone boundaries of Huntington Harbour and Sunset Beach have been revised and affected properties are placed into a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) and designated as “AE” or “VE” zone on the flood map. Properties within the SFHA are required to purchase flood insurance if the owner has a mortgage through a federally regulated or insured lender and adhere to special construction requirements. Should you have any questions regarding the flood maps, please contact the Community Development Department at (714) 536-5271.

Copies of the new FIRMs and FISs can be obtained at the links below.

To learn more about flood insurance, visit www.FloodSmart.gov or call Edie Lohmann, National Flood Insurance Program Specialist (FEMA Region IX) at (510) 627-7235.

Note: The PDF Flood Insurance Rate Maps below are best viewed by downloading and opening them with the Adobe Acrobat reader or the MS IE web browser.

Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) March 21, 2019

Panel 227 Panel 229 Panel 231
Panel 233 Panel 241 Panel 242
Panel 244 Panel 263 Panel 264

Flood Insurance Study (FIS) March 21, 2019

Volume 1 Volume 2 Volume 3

Map Revision Within the Vicinity of the East Garden Grove Wintersburg Channel

On June 28, 2019 (Case No. 19-09-0812P), the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) issued a Letter of Map Revision (LOMR) that changed the flood designation of properties within the vicinity of the East Garden Grove Wintersburg Channel, from the confluence of Bolsa Bay to the San Diego Freeway (Interstate 405). Properties were designated as flood zone A are now revised to flood zone AE or X (shaded). The update of the Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) will be effective on November 15, 2019. Should you have any questions regarding the flood maps, please contact the Community Development Department at (714) 536-5271.

A copy of the LOMR can be obtained at the link located below.

Letter of Map Revision June 28, 2019

On August 3, 2020 (Case No. 20-09-0545P), the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) issued a Letter of Map Revision (LOMR) that changed the base flood elevations of properties within the vicinity of the East Garden Grove Wintersburg Channel, from the confluence of Bolsa Bay to the San Diego Freeway (Interstate 405). The update of the Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) will be effective on December 17, 2020. Should you have any questions regarding the flood maps, please contact the Community Development Department at (714) 536-5271.

A copy of the LOMR can be obtained at the link located below.

Letter of Map Revision August 03, 2020

Flood Brochure

2022 Flood Brochure

Did you know?

Did you know the Historic Resources Board has organized a Historic Walking Tour of Downtown Huntington Beach? Pick up your walking tour brochure today on the 3rd floor of City Hall! Check out the Historic Huntington Beach webpage for more information!