Photo: Mercurywoodrose · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Hayward than in 95% of U.S. towns, mostly from earthquakes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hayward gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns, #562 of 847 in California. Most of that expected damage is earthquakes (67%), then river and rain flooding (32%). Flood insurance has paid 16 claims here since 1983.
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 Hayward 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 Hayward’s grade
Earthquakes are 67% of the building damage FEMA expects in Hayward, and Hayward’s rate of earthquakes damage is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 32% (higher than 81% of U.S. census tracts).
D #562 of 847 in California; higher expected damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Hayward’s residents live in 40 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, Hayward has more expected damage per building than 66% of California towns.
Among the 400 U.S. cities of 100,000 or more, Hayward has higher expected damage per building than 91% (#365 of 400). Because it is so big, its total expected yearly loss, $159M, is the 55th largest of those 400.
Does Hayward flood? Sometimes: 16 flood claims since 1983
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Hayward, from FEMA’s records: 0.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 94% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Pineapple Express - Southern10 claims · $456K
- The California Atmospheric River2 claims · $87K
Hayward 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 Hayward
Disasters that paid out in Hayward itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Hayward), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2022Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides221 households applied for aid$572K aid approved$144K to the City of Hayward for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2017Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides$102K to the City of Hayward 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 Hayward after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Hayward archive →Hayward and its neighbors
Hayward is 6th of the 10 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fairview | Dmore damage than 92% | earthquakes | — |
| Castro Valley | Dmore damage than 92% | earthquakes | 17 |
| Cherryland | Dmore damage than 94% | earthquakes | — |
| Union City | Dmore damage than 95% | earthquakes | 19 |
| San Lorenzo | Dmore damage than 95% | earthquakes | 2 |
| Hayward | Dmore damage than 95% | earthquakes | 16 |
| Fremont | D−more damage than 95% | earthquakes | 9 |
| Foster City | D−more damage than 97% | river and rain flooding | 10 |
| San Leandro | D−more damage than 97% | earthquakes | 5 |
| Pleasanton | D−more damage than 98% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
| Sunol | — | 847 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 Hayward 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 Hayward
Is Hayward at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hayward has higher expected damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #562 of 847 in California. Most of the expected damage is earthquakes (67%) and river and rain flooding (32%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Hayward flood?
Flood insurance has paid 16 claims in Hayward since 1983, $1.1M in all, or 0.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 94% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Pineapple Express - Southern (10).
Is Hayward 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 Hayward?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Hayward’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 Hayward?
By FEMA money that reached Hayward, Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2022): 221 households applied for aid, $572K approved, and $144K to the City of Hayward for repairs. By flood claims, Pineapple Express - Southern: 10 paid, $456K.
Is Hayward at risk from earthquakes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (67%), and Hayward’s rate for it is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Hayward.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Hayward’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.