Photo: Pi.1415926535 · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Davis faces more hazard damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Davis gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns, #128 of 847 in California. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (57%), then earthquakes (42%). Flood insurance has paid 15 claims here since 1982.
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 Davis 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 Davis’ grade
River and rain flooding is 57% of the building damage FEMA expects in Davis, and Davis’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 65% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 42% (higher than 88% of U.S. census tracts).
C #128 of 847 in California; higher expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Davis’ residents live in 19 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, Davis has less expected damage per building than 85% of California towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $27.4M a year in losses across Davis: $19.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Davis flood? Sometimes: 15 flood claims since 1982
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Davis, from FEMA’s records: 0.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 88% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Pineapple Express - Southern2 claims · $8K
- The California Atmospheric River1 claim · $21K
Davis isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Yolo County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Davis
Disasters that paid out in Davis itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Davis), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2022Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$261K to the City of Davis for repairs
- 2020Wildfires83 households applied for aid$13K aid approved
- 2017Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides$11K to the City of Davis for repairs
- 2017Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides$131K to the City of Davis for repairs
- 2017Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides$38K to the City of Davis for repairs
- 2005Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, and Landslides$3K to the City of Davis for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Yolo County has had 16 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 2 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Yolo County, 2015–2020.
Old photos of Davis after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Davis archive →Davis and its neighbors
Davis is 2nd of the 2 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of California-Davis | Cmore damage than 70% | earthquakes | — |
| Davis | Cmore damage than 73% | river and rain flooding | 15 |
| El Macero | — | 796 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 Davis 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 Davis
Is Davis at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Davis has higher expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #128 of 847 in California. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (57%) and earthquakes (42%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Davis flood?
Flood insurance has paid 15 claims in Davis since 1982, $294K in all, or 0.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 88% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Pineapple Express - Southern (2).
Is Davis 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 Yolo County, 28% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 5.0% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Davis?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Davis’ 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 Davis?
By FEMA money that reached Davis, Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2022): $261K to the City of Davis for repairs. By flood claims, Pineapple Express - Southern: 2 paid, $8K.
Is Davis at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (57%), and Davis’ rate for it is higher than 65% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Davis.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Davis’ 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.