Remar Bakery · Photo: Sanfranman59 · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Emeryville than in 94% of U.S. towns, mostly from earthquakes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Emeryville gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns, #509 of 847 in California. Most of that expected damage is earthquakes (83%), then river and rain flooding (16%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 1998.
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 Emeryville 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 Emeryville’s grade
Earthquakes are 83% of the building damage FEMA expects in Emeryville, and Emeryville’s rate of earthquakes damage is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts. Tsunamis add 1%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
D #509 of 847 in California; higher expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Emeryville’s residents live in 4 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, Emeryville has more expected damage per building than 60% of California towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $27.7M a year in losses across Emeryville: $18.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Emeryville flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 1998
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Emeryville, from FEMA’s records: 0.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 99% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Pineapple Express - Southern1 claim · $6K
Emeryville isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Alameda County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Emeryville
Disasters that paid out in Emeryville itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Emeryville), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Winter Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$74K to the City of Emeryville for repairs
- 2022Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides32 households applied for aid$50K aid approved$118K to the City of Emeryville for repairs
Alameda County has had 20 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 Emeryville after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Emeryville archive →Emeryville and its neighbors
Emeryville has the lowest expected damage per building of the 3 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
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 Emeryville 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 Emeryville
Is Emeryville at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Emeryville has higher expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #509 of 847 in California. Most of the expected damage is earthquakes (83%) and river and rain flooding (16%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Emeryville flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Emeryville since 1998, $6K in all, or 0.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 99% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Pineapple Express - Southern (1).
Is Emeryville 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 Alameda County, 36% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.8% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Emeryville?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Emeryville’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 Emeryville?
By FEMA money that reached Emeryville, Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2022): 32 households applied for aid, $50K approved, and $118K to the City of Emeryville for repairs. By flood claims, Pineapple Express - Southern: 1 paid, $6K.
Is Emeryville at risk from earthquakes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (83%), and Emeryville’s rate for it is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Emeryville.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Emeryville’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.