Floodplain Management

Downieville Flood

National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP)

Sierra County participates in the National Flood Insurance Program in order to promote public health, safety, and the general welfare of its citizens.

The Board of Supervisors adopted a floodplain management ordinance consistent with the national model ordinance, outlining the rules, regulations, and guidelines to implement the program. Please see Sierra County Code Title 32-Floodplain Management for further information regarding these regulations.

To see whether your property may be affected by a FEMA-mapped Special Flood Hazard Area, visit FEMA's Map Service Center web portal.

You may also view FEMA Technical Bulletins on proper flood-resistant design, and download forms including the Flood Elevation Certificate, required for most floodplain development permits [download form here].


FEMA SPECIAL MEETING NOTICE IN LOYALTON

On Tuesday March 17, 2026, the Planning Department with the City of Loyalton will present on the updated FEMA maps.  For more information and to know if you will be impacted by these new FEMA map changes, see the below links from October 15, 2025, that includes the updated Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) and supplemental documents on this update.  If you would like to attend this meeting, the public hearing notice is located at FEMA Public Hearing Notice, March 17, 2026.

FEMA Flood map updates in Eastern Sierra Co.

On October 15, 2025, FEMA provided the Planning Department updated floodplain maps for eastern Sierra County that spans the entire Sierra Valley.  Please see below links for more information on these maps and studies in knowing more if your property will be affected.