Flood Protection and Insurance Information

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Upcoming Storm Season Information

Call (650) 903-6329 with any questions or to report storm flooding.

Flood Protection

Sand and sandbags are available at no charge to Mountain View residents at the City’s Municipal Operations Center, 231 North Whisman Road. Bring a shovel to fill the sandbags.

Flood Safety

Twelve percent of the City of Mountain View is located within special flood hazard areas. Flooding in these areas is caused by tidal flooding from the Bay and flooding from Permanente Creek. Following are suggestions for ways to protect yourself and your property in the event of flooding.

Flood Safety Tips

Do not walk through flowing waters.
Do not drive through a flooded area.
Do not drive around road barriers; the road or bridge may be washed out.
Stay away from power lines and electrical wires.
Have your electricity turned off by PG&E. Do not use appliances or motors that have become wet unless they have been taken apart, cleaned and dried.
Look before you step. Floors and stairs that have been covered with mud can be very slippery
Be alert for gas leaks. Use a flashlight to inspect for damage.
Do not smoke or use candles, lanterns or open flames, unless you know the gas has been turned off and the area has been ventilated.
Tune to radio stations KCBS (740AM) or KSJO (92.3FM) for emergency information, traffic updates and instructions.

Flood Insurance

Standard homeowner’s insurance policies do not cover losses due to floods. However, the City is a participant in the National Flood Insurance Program which makes it possible for property owners to obtain federally-backed flood insurance. This insurance is available to any owner of insurable property (a building or its contents). Tenants may also insure their personal property against flood loss.

By participating in the National Flood Insurance Program Community Rating System, the City earns a 10 percent discount on insurance rates for the community by exceeding minimum standards for flood risk reduction. This discount applies to National Flood Insurance policies issued or renewed. The actual cost of insurance will vary, depending upon the amount of coverage and degree of flood hazard. In certain instances, such as the purchase of a new home with a Federally-backed mortgage, National Flood Insurance is required. Even if flood insurance is not required or you live in a moderate-to-low risk area, the risk of flooding is still very real. FEMA recommends residents purchase flood insurance.

Preferred rate policies start at $119 per year.

Flood Map Information

Upon request, the City will provide the public, lending institutions, real estate agents and insurance agents with certain flood map information. Call (650) 903-6311 during normal business hours, visit the Public Works Department at City Hall or visit Ask MV for the following information:

Classification of whether a property is in or out of the Special Flood Hazard Area
Additional flood insurance data for a site
Insurance Rate Map zone, base flood elevation or depth
A handout on flood insurance purchase requirements
Copies of Elevation Certificates that are on file

You can find out your flood risk online at Floodsmart.gov. This site provides relative risks, links to flood risk maps and other flood insurance community resources.

Help Protect the natural floodplain to reduce future flooding

Report illegal dumping in storm drains 650-903-6821. Learn more here.
Keep debris and trash out of the storm drain system
Report issues in creeks on the Valley Water's Watershed Hotline 1-408-630-2378 or at Access Valley Water.

Building in a Floodplain

All new development or substantial improvements within the City's Special Flood Hazard Areas are subject to the Flood Plain Management Ordinance per City’s Municipal Code Chapter 8, Article VIII, and are required to submit Flood Development Permit Applications and Elevation Certificates.

For complete requirements of constructing in floodplain, please contact City's Public Works Department.

Flood Protection Tips

There are various actions that can be taken to flood-proof structures. Electrical panel boxes, furnaces, water heaters, washer and dryers should be elevated or relocated to a location less likely to be flooded. Basement floor drains and interior and exterior backwater valves can be installed and interior floodwalls can be placed around utilities.

If flooding is likely and time permits, move essential items and furniture to the upper floors of your home.

Keep materials like sandbags, plywood, plastic sheeting and lumber handy for emergency waterproofing. This action will help minimize the amount of damage caused by floodwaters.

Preparing for the Winter Storm Season

Winter storms cause power outages, flooding and traffic hazards. The City encourages residents to plan ahead for the possibility of storms this winter by taking the following precautions early:

Stay aware of current conditions

Remove Fallen Leaves

Help prevent street flooding and storm drain clogs by removing leaves.
Place leaves that fall on your property in your compost cart for curbside collection. Compost carts are collected weekly from homes subscribed to curbside service (individual carts) because of the new food scraps program. To learn how to handle extra yard trimmings and leaves if weekly service is not enough, please visit Yard Trimmings page or call Recology at (650) 967-3034.
Backyard composting is a simple way to compost leaves and other plant debris at home. Visit Composting page for more information or call (650) 903-6311.
Help street sweepers collect litter and leaves that fall in the roadway by moving parked cars and removing basketball hoops. Street sweepers can pick up leaves that fall in the roadway if they are no more than 3 inches deep and 3 feet wide.
Leaves left in piles in the roadway will not be picked up unless you are in the special street sweeping zones. Call (650) 903-6329 for more information.

Obtain Sandbags When Necessary

Sand and sandbags are available at no charge to Mountain View residents at the City’s Municipal Operations Center, 231 North Whisman Road. Bring a shovel to fill the sandbags. Call (650) 903-6329 with any questions.

Report Flooding or Standing Water

Call the Public Services Division at (650) 903-6329 to report flooding or standing water during and after hours or on weekends.

Report Downed Trees and Limbs

Report downed trees and limbs during normal business hours by calling the Forestry and Roadway Landscape Division at (650) 903-6273.

Do Not Touch Downed Power Lines

Assume all downed power lines are dangerous and call both 9-1-1 and PG&E at (800) 743-5000 immediately. Stay tuned to your local radio station for power outage updates.

Prepare at Home

Keep an emergency kit on hand with a battery-powered radio, flashlights, fresh batteries and a first-aid kit. Check to see that your first-aid kit is well stocked and medications have not expired.
Stock a supply of easy-to-open, prepared food, a can opener, bottled water and pet food in case of a power outage.
Keep extra blankets and warm clothes in a safe, dry place in case your heat goes off.
If you use an electric generator, be sure it is installed properly, and then call PG&E to let them know you have one. Improperly installed generators put property and the lives of utility workers in the area at risk.
Keep a list of emergency telephone numbers next to each of your telephones.

Contact

For more information about how to prepare for the winter storm season, call the Public Services Division at (650) 903-6329.

For Police or Fire emergencies, call 9-1-1.

To report power outages or downed power lines, call PG&E at (800) 743-5000.

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