A man walks along flooded sidewalks near apartments on Por la Mar Drive in Santa Barbara on Monday.
A man walks along flooded sidewalks near apartments on Por la Mar Drive in Santa Barbara during a January storm. Credit: Rebecca Caraway / Noozhawk file photo

New Federal Emergency Management Agency flood hazard maps went into effect last week.

The new FEMA maps, or Flood Insurance Rate Maps, show the areas considered at risk of flooding and affect the cost of property owners’ flood insurance.

They replace maps that have been used by Santa Barbara County for 10 years.

“While some properties will see reduced requirements under the new maps, many projects will continue to require oversight,” county spokesman Lael Wageneck said.

The maps were originally approved by the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors in July 2025. The county had been using a preliminary version of the maps until FEMA officially adopted them this month.

A map showing updated flood zones in Santa Barbara County. The new maps created by the Federal Emergency Management Agency went into effect June 10.
A map shows updated flood hazard zones in Santa Barbara County. The new maps created by the Federal Emergency Management Agency went into effect last Wednesday. Credit: Courtesy graphic

The regions most likely to see changes on the new maps are the eastern portion of the city of Santa Barbara to the Ventura County line, along with some portions of the Santa Ynez Valley.

Even though some property owners were not previously in the flood zones, they may be in one now because of the changing landscape. Parts of Montecito, for example, have significantly changed after storms and the 2018 debris flows.

Highway 101 was closed through Montecito for about two weeks following the deadly debris flows. The Jan. 9, 2018 debris flows killed 23 people and damaged and destroyed hundreds of homes.
Highway 101 was closed through Montecito for about two weeks following the deadly debris flows. The Jan. 9, 2018, debris flows killed 23 people and damaged and destroyed hundreds of homes. Credit: Peter Hartmann / Noozhawk file photo

Since the debris flows, the county has been using recovery maps, which have been used by the Board of Supervisors and the county to develop new regulations. The new FEMA maps will replace those.

The updated maps were created using new technology to more accurately capture the topography of the region and how it has changed over the years.  

For questions on flood insurance, visit floodsmart.gov. The Flood Control District can also be contacted at 805.568.3440 or fccontact@countyofsb.org. 

A flooded intersection in Goleta during a January storm. New FEMA flood hazard maps are in effect for the region showing at-risk communities.
A flooded intersection in Goleta during a January storm. New FEMA flood hazard maps are in effect for the region showing at-risk communities. Credit: Ryan Cullom / Noozhawk photo

— Noozhawk staff writer Daniel Green can be reached at dgreen@noozhawk.com.