Simon Pinschower House · Photo: Sanfranman59 · CC BY-SA 3.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Cloverdale than in 95% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Cloverdale gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns, #541 of 847 in California. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (53%), then earthquakes (43%). Flood insurance has paid 10 claims here since 1979.
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 Cloverdale 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 Cloverdale’s grade
River and rain flooding is 53% of the building damage FEMA expects in Cloverdale, and Cloverdale’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts. Earthquakes add 43%, at a rate in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
D #541 of 847 in California; higher expected damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Cloverdale’s residents live in 2 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, Cloverdale has more expected damage per building than 64% of California towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $7.7M a year in losses across Cloverdale: $6.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Cloverdale flood? Sometimes: 10 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Cloverdale, from FEMA’s records: 2.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 53% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Cloverdale 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.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Cloverdale
Disasters that paid out in Cloverdale itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Cloverdale), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2022Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$178K to the City of Cloverdale for repairs
- 2019Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$48K to the City of Cloverdale for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2017Wildfires82 households applied for aid$1K aid approved
- 2017Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides$398K to the City of Cloverdale for repairs
- 2005Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, and Landslides7 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
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 Cloverdale after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Cloverdale archive →Get ready for what Cloverdale 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 Cloverdale
Is Cloverdale at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Cloverdale has higher expected damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #541 of 847 in California. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (53%) and earthquakes (43%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Cloverdale flood?
Flood insurance has paid 10 claims in Cloverdale since 1979, $327K in all, or 2.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 53% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Cloverdale 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 Cloverdale?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Cloverdale’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 Cloverdale?
By FEMA money that reached Cloverdale, Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides (2017): $398K to the City of Cloverdale for repairs.
Is Cloverdale at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (53%), and Cloverdale’s rate for it is in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Cloverdale.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Cloverdale’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.