Photo: Sanfranman59 · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA puts Alameda’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 98% of U.S. towns, mostly from earthquakes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Alameda gets a D− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns, #700 of 847 in California. Most of that expected damage is earthquakes (54%), then river and rain flooding (42%). Flood insurance has paid 34 claims here since 1983.
Graded on FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value (NRI v1.20, December 2025), weighted by where residents live; flood claims are shown, not graded. How hazard risk is graded
What stands out about Alameda’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Alameda faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Earthquakes
River and rain flooding
Shares are of FEMA’s expected building damage, the measure the grade uses; ranks compare each hazard’s building-damage rate with all 85,154 U.S. census tracts. In FEMA’s terms, river and rain flooding is FEMA’s “Inland Flooding” (rivers and streams overflowing their banks, or rain overwhelming drainage). FEMA defines coastal flooding as high or rising tides and storm surge, so surge damage is counted there. Drought isn’t listed: FEMA counts its losses in crops only.
What’s behind Alameda’s grade
Earthquakes are 54% of the building damage FEMA expects in Alameda, and Alameda’s rate of earthquakes damage is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts. River and rain flooding adds 42%, at a rate in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
D− #700 of 847 in California; higher expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Alameda’s residents live in 16 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical California town has higher expected damage than 92% of U.S. towns; within the state, Alameda has more expected damage per building than 83% of California towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $99.8M a year in losses across Alameda: $74.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Alameda flood? Sometimes: 34 flood claims since 1983
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Alameda, from FEMA’s records: 1.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 77% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The California Atmospheric River25 claims · $610K
- The Pineapple Express - Southern3 claims · $33K
Alameda is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 8) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Alameda County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Alameda
Disasters that paid out in Alameda itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Alameda), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2022Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides93 households applied for aid$226K aid approved$72K to the City of Alameda for repairs17 flood claims paid that year
- 2020Wildfires3 households applied for aid$500 aid approved
- 2005Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, and Landslides$326K to the City of Alameda for repairs
Alameda County has had 20 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then floods. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Alameda after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Alameda archive →Alameda and its neighbors
Alameda is 4th of the 4 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brisbane | Dmore damage than 90% | earthquakes | 3 |
| San Francisco | Dmore damage than 93% | earthquakes | 66 |
| Oakland | D−more damage than 97% | earthquakes | 103 |
| Alameda | D−more damage than 98% | earthquakes | 34 |
Hazard risk = FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value, vs. the 21,298 U.S. towns we grade; the map is shaded by fifths of the same scale. Flood claims = paid federal flood insurance claims on record.
Get ready for what Alameda faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- Turn around at flooded roads: a foot of moving water can carry off a car.
- Flood insurance usually takes 30 days to start, so buy it before the forecast.
- Keep papers and medicines up high, in a grab-and-go bag.
- Look up the address on FEMA’s flood map.
- Ask the seller or landlord whether it has ever flooded, and what flood insurance costs there.
- Get a flood insurance quote early: policies usually start 30 days after you buy.
- Alameda residents get 10% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Alameda
Is Alameda at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Alameda has higher expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk, #700 of 847 in California. Most of the expected damage is earthquakes (54%) and river and rain flooding (42%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Alameda flood?
Flood insurance has paid 34 claims in Alameda since 1983, $724K in all, or 1.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 77% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from California Atmospheric River (25).
Is Alameda in a flood zone?
Flood zones are drawn street by street, so the answer depends on the address: look it up on FEMA’s flood map. In Alameda County, 36% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.8% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Alameda?
Alameda is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 8), which takes 10% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Alameda?
By FEMA money that reached Alameda, Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, and Landslides (2005): $326K to the City of Alameda for repairs. By flood claims, California Atmospheric River: 25 paid, $610K.
Is Alameda at risk from earthquakes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (54%), and Alameda’s rate for it is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Alameda.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Alameda’s residents lived in the 2020 census; OpenFEMA: NFIP redacted claims, multiple-loss properties, community status book and residential penetration rates, housing assistance (owners and renters), public assistance funded projects, hazard mitigation properties and disaster declarations. Homes: Census ACS 2020–24. Preparedness tips: Ready.gov. FEMA’s model is an average of expected damage, not a forecast. How hazard risk is graded.