Photo: Cullen328 Jim Heaphy · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in American Canyon than in 91% of U.S. towns, mostly from earthquakes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, American Canyon gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns, #351 of 847 in California. Most of that expected damage is earthquakes (50%), then river and rain flooding (48%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2023.
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 American Canyon 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 American Canyon’s grade
Earthquakes are 50% of the building damage FEMA expects in American Canyon, and American Canyon’s rate of earthquakes damage is in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts. Wildfire adds 1%, at a rate in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts.
D #351 of 847 in California; higher expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns (21,298).
American Canyon’s residents live in 5 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, American Canyon has less expected damage per building than 59% of California towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $18.2M a year in losses across American Canyon: $16.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does American Canyon flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2023
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in American Canyon, from FEMA’s records: 0.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 98% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The California Atmospheric River1 claim · $13K
American Canyon isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Napa County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to American Canyon
Disasters that paid out in American Canyon itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of American Canyon), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2020Wildfires55 households applied for aid$1K aid approved
- 2017Wildfires220 households applied for aid$26K aid approved
- 2014Earthquake363 households applied for aid$440K aid approved$51K to the City of American Canyon for repairs
- 2006Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$12K to the City of American Canyon for repairs
- 2005Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, and Landslides19 households applied for aid$3K aid approved$41K to the City of American Canyon for repairs
Napa County has had 25 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.
Also 9 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Napa County, 2008–2020.
Old photos of American Canyon after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the American Canyon archive →American Canyon and its neighbors
American Canyon has the lowest expected damage per building of the 2 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| American Canyon | Dmore damage than 91% | earthquakes | 1 |
| Napa | D−more damage than 98% | river and rain flooding | 741 |
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 American Canyon 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.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in American Canyon
Is American Canyon at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, American Canyon has higher expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #351 of 847 in California. Most of the expected damage is earthquakes (50%) and river and rain flooding (48%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does American Canyon flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in American Canyon since 2023, $13K in all, or 0.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 98% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from California Atmospheric River (1).
Is American Canyon 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 Napa County, 36% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.9% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in American Canyon?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for American Canyon’s flood program. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in American Canyon?
By FEMA money that reached American Canyon, Earthquake (2014): 363 households applied for aid, $440K approved, and $51K to the City of American Canyon for repairs. By flood claims, California Atmospheric River: 1 paid, $13K.
Is American Canyon at risk from earthquakes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (50%), and American Canyon’s rate for it is in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in American Canyon.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where American Canyon’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.