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SFPUC adopts 100-year storm flood-risk map and establishes parcel-review process
Summary
The SFPUC adopted a citywide draft 100-year storm flood-risk map based on an urban watershed H&H model (deep flooding >6 inches and contiguous >half-block), approved procedures for parcel-level appeals, and will use the map as a basis for a disclosure ordinance; staff reported ~4,000 mailed notices and public outreach.
The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission on Sept. 25 adopted a draft 100-year storm flood-risk map that identifies parcels at risk of deep (greater than six inches) and contiguous flooding in a 100-year design storm. Sarah Minnick, who oversees utility planning in wastewater, said the map was produced from the agency's urban watershed hydrology and hydraulics model and GIS analysis and that the map incorporates expected sea-level rise effects on coastal backflow but not a new advanced precipitation dataset currently under development.
Staff described outreach that included approximately 4,000 mailed notices to affected property owners, multiple public availability sessions and a searchable online map where residents can check addresses. The commission also approved a parcel-review process: property owners may request review and potential removal from the map if they can show their ground elevation exceeds the modeled 100-year elevation or that a significant permanent barrier (retaining walls, verified structures) prevents floodwater from entering the parcel. Staff will perform site visits where necessary and will periodically update the public map.
During public comment, Marilyn Amini said her home at 2667 14th Avenue is wrongly included and urged staff to visit the property; commissioners and staff confirmed the appeal route and said staff will evaluate and update the map if warranted. The adopted action delegates authority to the general manager to make future map updates for specified purposes and directs staff to advance a disclosure ordinance requiring sellers and lessors to inform buyers and tenants of a property's flood-risk zone.
The motion to adopt the map was moved and seconded on the record and approved by voice vote. Staff said the parcel-review process and regular map updates are intended to address neighborhood-level anomalies and data corrections.
Next steps: staff will accept parcel-review requests under the new rules, conduct site reviews as appropriate, update the public map on a recurring basis, and move the disclosure ordinance through the city interdepartmental review toward the Board of Supervisors.
