Yolo County, California has a history of flooding including levee breaks, Cache Creek overflows, and numerous floods along the waterways surrounding Yolo county communities such as Davis, Winters, West Sacramento, and Woodland. Like most of the areas near the Sacramento Delta, communities in Yolo rely on a system of levees to protect low-lying properties from floods. However, the levee system isn't perfect as past breaches have shown. The risk of flooding is always present.



In particular, Yolo County is susceptible to floods from both the Sacramento River and Cache Creek. If you look at FEMA's flood maps for the region, you'll see that the county faces a significant risk of flooding from both of these waterways.

So, what do you do if you live or work in Yolo County? Stay informed and prepare for the worst. By staying informed, you will know where to look for the latest flood threats and when to flee. By being prepared, you will know what to do should a flood occur.

FEMA has been recertifying the safety and structural soundness of the county's levees over the past few years. In addition, a two-year pilot program was launched to address concerns about the flood potential for these areas. This pilot program, known as "flood SAFE Yolo," is a cooperative effort between Yolo County, the Yolo County Flood Control and Water Conservation District, and the City of Woodland. It addresses a variety of concerns surrounding Cache Creek flooding, flood control, land use, and property damage.

In order to stay informed, become familiar with both the FEMA flood maps as well as the programs such as flood SAFE Yolo. Start by reviewing the most current FEMA flood map for your Yolo county address and determine whether you live in a flood plain or not. You may want to consider flood insurance as part of your long-term strategy for covering potential losses.

Next, explore the information available from the various county and city Web sites. For example, if you live in Woodland, California, explore both the Yolo County Web site as well as the City of Woodland's Web site for specific information regarding the area's flood risk.

In addition to learning about specific threats to your community, stay informed by paying attention to the weather. Flooding often occurs during the rainy season when heavy rainfall and swollen creeks and rivers combine into a torrential flood event. The NOAA Web site is an excellent resource for staying on top of the latest local weather along with river levels. Not only can you see forecasts, you can follow links to river stage maps detailing the creeks and rivers throughout Yolo County.

Information is vital to being prepared. Create a basic disaster kit so that should you be stranded by a flood, you will have emergency food, water, and first aid supplies on hand. Store this kit up high such as on the second story of your home or in the attic. Better yet, create a plan for escape should you have enough warning to evacuate.

Despite your preparations, your home may flood (and it might be from a burst pipe or toilet overflow). Should this occur, water damage is sure to follow. Prompt drying out is essential. Consider a professional water damage restoration professional for thorough service and damage mitigation.