On FEMA’s figures, few U.S. towns expect more hazard damage per building than Boyes Hot Springs, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Boyes Hot Springs gets a D− for hazard risk: among the highest expected damage per building of U.S. towns, #812 of 847 in California. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (74%), then earthquakes (25%). Flood insurance has paid 8 claims here since 1986.
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 Boyes Hot Springs faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
River and rain flooding
Earthquakes
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 Boyes Hot Springs’ grade
River and rain flooding is 74% of the building damage FEMA expects in Boyes Hot Springs, and Boyes Hot Springs’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts. Earthquakes add 25%, at a rate in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
D− #812 of 847 in California; among the highest expected damage per building of U.S. towns (21,298).
Boyes Hot Springs’ residents live in 3 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, Boyes Hot Springs has more expected damage per building than 96% of California towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $6.3M a year in losses across Boyes Hot Springs: $5.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Boyes Hot Springs flood? Rarely: 8 flood claims since 1986
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Boyes Hot Springs, from FEMA’s records: 2.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 52% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Boyes Hot Springs isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Sonoma County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Boyes Hot Springs
Disasters that paid out in Boyes Hot Springs itself (aid to households or repair grants to Boyes Hot Springs), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2005Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, and Landslides2 households applied for aid$2K aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
Sonoma County has had 24 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 8 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Sonoma County, 2004–2020.
Old photos of Boyes Hot Springs after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Boyes Hot Springs archive →Boyes Hot Springs and its neighbors
Boyes Hot Springs 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eldridge | D−more damage than 98% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Fetters Hot Springs-Agua Caliente | D−among the highest damage | river and rain flooding | — |
| El Verano | D−among the highest damage | river and rain flooding | — |
| Boyes Hot Springs | D−among the highest damage | river and rain flooding | 8 |
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 Boyes Hot Springs faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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 Boyes Hot Springs
Is Boyes Hot Springs at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Boyes Hot Springs has among the highest expected damage per building of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk, #812 of 847 in California. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (74%) and earthquakes (25%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Boyes Hot Springs flood?
Flood insurance has paid 8 claims in Boyes Hot Springs since 1986, $358K in all, or 2.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 52% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Boyes Hot Springs 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 Sonoma County, 31% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Boyes Hot Springs?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Boyes Hot Springs’ 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 Boyes Hot Springs?
By FEMA money that reached Boyes Hot Springs, Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, and Landslides (2005): 2 households applied for aid, $2K approved.
Is Boyes Hot Springs at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (74%), and Boyes Hot Springs’ rate for it is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Boyes Hot Springs.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Boyes Hot Springs’ 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.