Photo: Geraoma · Public domainMore hazard damage per building is expected in Concord than in 96% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Concord gets a D− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns, #626 of 847 in California. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (56%), then earthquakes (43%). Flood insurance has paid 29 claims here since 1980.
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 Concord’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Concord 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 Concord’s grade
River and rain flooding is 56% of the building damage FEMA expects in Concord, and Concord’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts. Earthquakes add 43%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
D− #626 of 847 in California; higher expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Concord’s residents live in 33 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, Concord has more expected damage per building than 74% of California towns.
Among the 400 U.S. cities of 100,000 or more, Concord has higher expected damage per building than 94% (#377 of 400). Because it is so big, its total expected yearly loss, $106M, is the 107th largest of those 400.
Does Concord flood? Sometimes: 29 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Concord, from FEMA’s records: 0.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 87% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Pineapple Express - Southern6 claims · $40K
Concord is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Contra Costa County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Concord
Disasters that paid out in Concord itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Concord), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2022Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides111 households applied for aid$193K aid approved$492K to the City of Concord for repairs
- 2005Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, and Landslides15 households applied for aid$17K aid approved$172K to the City of Concord for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Contra Costa County has had 17 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 Concord after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Concord archive →Concord and its neighbors
Concord is 5th of the 5 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bay Point | Dmore damage than 89% | earthquakes | — |
| Clayton | Dmore damage than 95% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Pleasant Hill | D−more damage than 95% | river and rain flooding | 34 |
| Walnut Creek | D−more damage than 96% | river and rain flooding | 67 |
| Concord | D−more damage than 96% | river and rain flooding | 29 |
| Clyde | — | 653 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 Concord 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.
- Concord residents get 15% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Concord
Is Concord at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Concord has higher expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk, #626 of 847 in California. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (56%) and earthquakes (43%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Concord flood?
Flood insurance has paid 29 claims in Concord since 1980, $114K in all, or 0.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 87% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Pineapple Express - Southern (6).
Is Concord 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 Contra Costa County, 28% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.9% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Concord?
Concord is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7), which takes 15% 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 Concord?
By FEMA money that reached Concord, Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2022): 111 households applied for aid, $193K approved, and $492K to the City of Concord for repairs. By flood claims, Pineapple Express - Southern: 6 paid, $40K.
Is Concord at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (56%), and Concord’s rate for it is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Concord.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Concord’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.