Since 2001, FEMA has issued Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) for San Mateo, which map certain sections of the City as "high risk" with respect to flooding. These high-risk areas are referred to as Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHAs) and are required to carry flood insurance if properties have a federally backed mortgage. Over the past few decades, FEMA has revised the FIRMs based on completion of flood mitigation projects by the City’s Public Works Department.

Latest FEMA Flood Map Revision

2024 FEMA Flood Zone Map Revision. Effective as of October 11, 2024. This map is a revision of the 2019 maps and reflects the completion of projects associated with the North Shoreview Special Assessment District, and removes a significant number of properties from SFHAs within the North Central and North Shoreview neighborhoods.

Historical FEMA Flood Maps

Below are links to FIRMs which FEMA has published over the past few decades. Residents should consult FEMA’s Flood & Maps webpage for information on whether or not a property is located within a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA).

2019 FEMA Flood Zone Map, forecasting the potential radius of homes that may be added to the high-risk flood zones as a result of the recent Coastal Study. This map became effective as of April of 2019. The green area is the current high-risk zone, and the red area is FEMA's current proposed expansion of the high-risk zones.

2015 FEMA Flood Zone Map. Revised and official as of July 16, 2015. This map adds and removes areas as a result of the residual interior flooding study.

2012 FEMA Flood Zone Map. Revised October 16, 2012, the map reflects improvements made to the South Shoreview Neighborhoods.

2010 FEMA Flood Zone Map. Issued December 10, 2010.

2001 FEMA Flood Zone Map. On October 19, 2001, FEMA issued a Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) for the City of San Mateo that placed parts of the City within a special flood hazard area. This designation made flood insurance mandatory for properties within the hazard area.

Detailed information can be found on FEMA’s Flood & Maps webpage.

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