More hazard damage per building is expected in El Cerrito than in 92% of U.S. towns, mostly from earthquakes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, El Cerrito gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns, #413 of 847 in California. Most of that expected damage is earthquakes (76%), then river and rain flooding (24%). 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 El Cerrito faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Earthquakes
River and rain flooding
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 El Cerrito’s grade
Earthquakes are 76% of the building damage FEMA expects in El Cerrito, and El Cerrito’s rate of earthquakes damage is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 24% (lower than 58% of U.S. census tracts).
D #413 of 847 in California; higher expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns (21,298).
El Cerrito’s residents live in 10 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, El Cerrito has less expected damage per building than 51% of California towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $22.0M a year in losses across El Cerrito: $15.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does El Cerrito flood? Sometimes: 15 flood claims since 1982
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in El Cerrito, from FEMA’s records: 1.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 72% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Winter storm2 claims · $8K
- The California Atmospheric River1 claim · $4K
El Cerrito 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.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to El Cerrito
Disasters that paid out in El Cerrito itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of El Cerrito), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2022Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides21 households applied for aid$74K aid approved
- 2017Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides$177K to the City of El Cerrito 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 El Cerrito after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the El Cerrito archive →El Cerrito and its neighbors
El Cerrito is 2nd 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kensington | Dmore damage than 91% | earthquakes | 1 |
| El Cerrito | Dmore damage than 92% | earthquakes | 15 |
| Richmond | Dmore damage than 94% | earthquakes | 36 |
| Albany | D−more damage than 95% | earthquakes | — |
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 El Cerrito faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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.
- 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 El Cerrito
Is El Cerrito at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, El Cerrito has higher expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #413 of 847 in California. Most of the expected damage is earthquakes (76%) and river and rain flooding (24%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does El Cerrito flood?
Flood insurance has paid 15 claims in El Cerrito since 1982, $124K in all, or 1.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 72% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 3 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Winter storm (2).
Is El Cerrito 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 El Cerrito?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for El Cerrito’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 El Cerrito?
By FEMA money that reached El Cerrito, Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides (2017): $177K to the City of El Cerrito for repairs. By flood claims, Winter storm: 2 paid, $8K.
Is El Cerrito at risk from earthquakes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (76%), and El Cerrito’s rate for it is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in El Cerrito.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where El Cerrito’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.