This paper examines flood risk management and floodplain development in WestSacramento, a flood prone California city adjacent to the state capital. While Sest Sacramentoparticipates in the National Flood Insurance Program, the Flood Insurance Rate Map for the cityis outdated and does not adequately reflect actual flood risk. Analyses of US Census data,National Flood Insurance Program products, zoning ordinances, and remote sensing dataindicate that development has continued in areas exposed to high flood hazard, increasing the risk of life and property to flooding.