Photo: pedrik · CC BY 2.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Berkeley than in 97% of U.S. towns, mostly from earthquakes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Berkeley gets a D− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns, #655 of 847 in California. Most of that expected damage is earthquakes (80%), then river and rain flooding (19%). Flood insurance has paid 15 claims here since 1978.
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 Berkeley 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 Berkeley’s grade
Earthquakes are 80% of the building damage FEMA expects in Berkeley, and Berkeley’s rate of earthquakes damage is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 19% (higher than 59% of U.S. census tracts).
D− #655 of 847 in California; higher expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Berkeley’s residents live in 34 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, Berkeley has more expected damage per building than 77% of California towns.
Among the 400 U.S. cities of 100,000 or more, Berkeley has higher expected damage per building than 95% (#382 of 400). Because it is so big, its total expected yearly loss, $190M, is the 47th largest of those 400.
Does Berkeley flood? Sometimes: 15 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Berkeley, from FEMA’s records: 0.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 95% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Pineapple Express - Southern5 claims · $7K
- The California Atmospheric River2 claims · $5K
Berkeley isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Alameda County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Berkeley
Disasters that paid out in Berkeley itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Berkeley), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Winter Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$184K to the City of Berkeley for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2022Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides121 households applied for aid$392K aid approved$123K to the City of Berkeley for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2013Rim Fire$560K to the City of Berkeley for repairs
- 2005Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, and Landslides$245K to the City of Berkeley for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Katrina Evacuation$27K to the City of Berkeley 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 Berkeley after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Berkeley archive →Berkeley and its neighbors
Berkeley is 5th of the 6 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kensington | Dmore damage than 91% | earthquakes | 1 |
| San Francisco | Dmore damage than 93% | earthquakes | 66 |
| Emeryville | Dmore damage than 94% | earthquakes | 1 |
| Albany | D−more damage than 95% | earthquakes | — |
| Berkeley | D−more damage than 97% | earthquakes | 15 |
| Oakland | D−more damage than 97% | earthquakes | 103 |
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 Berkeley 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 Berkeley
Is Berkeley at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Berkeley has higher expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk, #655 of 847 in California. Most of the expected damage is earthquakes (80%) and river and rain flooding (19%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Berkeley flood?
Flood insurance has paid 15 claims in Berkeley since 1978, $83K in all, or 0.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 95% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Pineapple Express - Southern (5).
Is Berkeley 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 Berkeley?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Berkeley’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 Berkeley?
By FEMA money that reached Berkeley, Rim Fire (2013): $560K to the City of Berkeley for repairs. By flood claims, Pineapple Express - Southern: 5 paid, $7K.
Is Berkeley at risk from earthquakes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (80%), and Berkeley’s rate for it is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Berkeley.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Berkeley’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.