Levee System
The City of Foster City's levee system is primarily designed for flood protection. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), a division of the United States Department of Homeland Security, has certified Foster City's levee as providing protection from the 1-percent annual chance (base) flood. This means land within the Foster City city limits will continue to be classified as Zone X, where mandatory flood insurance is not required. While flood insurance is not mandatory, FEMA does encourage homeowners to purchase flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) to insure against flood losses. More information about the NFIP can be found here. You can purchase flood insurance through your insurance professional.
Levee Protection Planning and Improvements Project
Following a recent coastal flood hazard study, FEMA has found that 85% of Foster City's levee system does not meet FEMA requirements. In order to restore accreditation status of the levee and to prevent city property owners from paying the excessive costs of flood insurance, the City is embarking on a $75 million project to improve its levee system.
For further information, please visit the Levee Improvements Project page.
Aside from flood protection, the levee system also provides recreational uses for the community. Serving as a main link to the Bay Trail, residents can enjoy walking, running, bicycling, and skating on the levee pathway.
The Foster City Levee, owned and maintained by the City, surrounds the majority of the outer bay-front perimeter of the City to provide flood protection. The Levee Improvements Project will increase the height and width of the levee to improve protection against storm/tide surges, meet sea level rise projections through the year 2050, maintain FEMA accreditation, and make the levee more resistant to earthquakes. A contract was awarded to Shimmick Construction in July 2020, with an issuance of Notice to Proceed in September 2020. Construction is ongoing with a completion date of January 2024.
The Foster City Access app makes it easy to report non-emergency issues from a smartphone, tablet or desktop computer. The City tracks these issues and will provide updates as they are acknowledged and resolved. Please keep in mind your issues will be addressed during normal business hours. If this report comes in on a holiday, weekend or after hours, it will be addressed the next business day.
