The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has issued revised Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) for all of Santa Clara County that become effective on Monday, May 18, 2009. These maps show areas that are considered to be in a floodplain, and therefore may require homeowners to obtain flood insurance. Flood zone disclosure is a statutory requirement in California real estate transactions.

The revised FEMA maps will expand the 100-year flood zone and affect residential parcels in Palo Alto near Foothill Expressway, in Cupertino near Heney Creek Place, and in San Jose near Zanker Road and Component Drive, and Kingston Way and Manitoba Drive. In some areas, the 100-year flood zone will be reduced in size and parcels will be removed.

Prospective home buyers may wish to check with their insurance agent to see if the property's flood zone, and insurance requirements, will be affected by the map changes. To comply with federal law and to obtain the lowest available rate, owners drawn into a higher-risk zone must purchase flood insurance before the new maps become effective on May 18, 2009.