Photo: Missvain · CC BY 4.0FEMA puts Fairfield’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 91% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Fairfield gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns, #371 of 847 in California. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (59%), then earthquakes (39%). Flood insurance has paid 48 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 stands out about Fairfield’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Fairfield 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 Fairfield’s grade
River and rain flooding is 59% of the building damage FEMA expects in Fairfield, and Fairfield’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 90% of U.S. census tracts. Earthquakes add 39%, at a rate in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
D #371 of 847 in California; higher expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Fairfield’s residents live in 30 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, Fairfield has less expected damage per building than 56% of California towns.
Among the 400 U.S. cities of 100,000 or more, Fairfield has higher expected damage per building than 85% (#340 of 400). Because it is so big, its total expected yearly loss, $76.0M, is the 157th largest of those 400.
Does Fairfield flood? Sometimes: 48 flood claims since 1982
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Fairfield, from FEMA’s records: 1.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 74% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Pineapple Express - Southern5 claims · $80K
- The California Atmospheric River2 claims · $13K
Fairfield is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 9) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Solano County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Fairfield
Disasters that paid out in Fairfield itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Fairfield), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Winter Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$290K to the City of Fairfield for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2022Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$58K to the City of Fairfield for repairs
- 2020Wildfires246 households applied for aid$55K aid approved$341K to the City of Fairfield for repairs
- 2017Wildfires2 households applied for aid$52K to the City of Fairfield for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2014Earthquake55 households applied for aid$48K aid approved
- 2005Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, and Landslides136 households applied for aid$176K aid approved$1.4M to the City of Fairfield for repairs9 flood claims paid that year
Solano County has had 23 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 4 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Solano County, 2008–2020.
Old photos of Fairfield after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Fairfield archive →Fairfield and its neighbors
Fairfield has the lowest expected damage per building of the 4 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fairfield | Dmore damage than 91% | river and rain flooding | 48 |
| Vacaville | Dmore damage than 92% | river and rain flooding | 81 |
| Suisun City | D−more damage than 95% | river and rain flooding | 42 |
| Green Valley | D−more damage than 97% | 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 Fairfield 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.
- Fairfield residents get 05% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Fairfield
Is Fairfield at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Fairfield has higher expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #371 of 847 in California. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (59%) and earthquakes (39%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Fairfield flood?
Flood insurance has paid 48 claims in Fairfield since 1982, $1.1M in all, or 1.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 74% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 4 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Pineapple Express - Southern (5).
Is Fairfield 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 Solano County, 25% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Fairfield?
Fairfield is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 9), which takes 05% 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 Fairfield?
By FEMA money that reached Fairfield, Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, and Landslides (2005): 136 households applied for aid, $176K approved, and $1.4M to the City of Fairfield for repairs. By flood claims, Pineapple Express - Southern: 5 paid, $80K.
Is Fairfield at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (59%), and Fairfield’s rate for it is higher than 90% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Fairfield.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Fairfield’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.