Photo: Agwatkin · CC BY-SA 4.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Danville than in 96% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Danville gets a D− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns, #605 of 847 in California. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (55%), then earthquakes (43%). Flood insurance has paid 3 claims here since 2002.
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 Danville 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 Danville’s grade
River and rain flooding is 55% of the building damage FEMA expects in Danville, and Danville’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts. Earthquakes add 43%, at a rate in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
D− #605 of 847 in California; higher expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Danville’s residents live in 14 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, Danville has more expected damage per building than 71% of California towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $42.4M a year in losses across Danville: $37.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Danville flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 2002
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Danville, from FEMA’s records: 0.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 97% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The California Atmospheric River1 claim · $1K
Danville isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Contra Costa County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Danville
Disasters that paid out in Danville itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Danville), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2022Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides198 households applied for aid$736K aid approved$326K to the Town of Danville for repairs
- 2017Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides$316K to the Town of Danville for repairs
- 2017Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides$48K to the Town of Danville for repairs
- 2017Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides$67K to the Town of Danville for repairs
- 2005Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, and Landslides2 households applied for aid$14K aid approved$510K to the Town of Danville for repairs
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 Danville after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Danville archive →Danville and its neighbors
Danville is 4th 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Camino Tassajara | Dmore damage than 93% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Diablo | Dmore damage than 94% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Blackhawk | D−more damage than 95% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Danville | D−more damage than 96% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| San Ramon | D−more damage than 96% | river and rain flooding | 15 |
| Alamo | D−more damage than 96% | river and rain flooding | — |
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 Danville 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 Danville
Is Danville at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Danville has higher expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk, #605 of 847 in California. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (55%) and earthquakes (43%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Danville flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in Danville since 2002, $37K in all, or 0.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 97% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from California Atmospheric River (1).
Is Danville 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 Danville?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Danville’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 Danville?
By FEMA money that reached Danville, Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2022): 198 households applied for aid, $736K approved, and $326K to the Town of Danville for repairs. By flood claims, California Atmospheric River: 1 paid, $1K.
Is Danville at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (55%), and Danville’s rate for it is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Danville.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Danville’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.