California Debuts Innovative Flood Program for Isleton Residents

The California Department of Insurance (CDI) has launched the state’s first community-based flood program to address increasing flood risks linked to climate change. Focused on Isleton, a Sacramento County town in a 100-year floodplain, the initiative provides payouts to residents when floodwaters reach predetermined levels. The program supplements traditional flood insurance and is designed to help cover property repairs or evacuation costs. Funded by a $200,000 grant, the program is part of California’s push for non-structural flood management solutions, offering an alternative to the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Administered by Isleton’s Delta Geologic Hazard Abatement District (GHAD), this pilot effort aims to create affordable flood protection models for vulnerable communities statewide.

Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara emphasized the need for creative insurance solutions that improve climate resilience, while Karla Nemeth, director of the Department of Water Resources, noted the importance of rethinking how California manages flood risks in light of extreme weather events. The program could serve as a model for other regions dealing with similar threats.