Photo: Sanfranman59 · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Healdsburg faces more hazard damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns, mostly from earthquakes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Healdsburg gets a D− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns, #693 of 847 in California. Most of that expected damage is earthquakes (52%), then river and rain flooding (47%). Flood insurance has paid 52 claims here since 1978.
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 Healdsburg 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 Healdsburg’s grade
Earthquakes are 52% of the building damage FEMA expects in Healdsburg, and Healdsburg’s rate of earthquakes damage is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts. River and rain flooding adds 47%, at a rate in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
D− #693 of 847 in California; higher expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Healdsburg’s residents live in 5 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, Healdsburg has more expected damage per building than 82% of California towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $16.6M a year in losses across Healdsburg: $13.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Healdsburg flood? Sometimes: 52 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Healdsburg, from FEMA’s records: 10.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 74% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The California Atmospheric River1 claim · $43K
Healdsburg isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Sonoma County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Healdsburg
Disasters that paid out in Healdsburg itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Healdsburg), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2020Wildfires227 households applied for aid$688K aid approved$22K to the City of Healdsburg for repairs
- 2017Wildfires111 households applied for aid$2K aid approved$30K to the City of Healdsburg for repairs
- 2006Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$19K to the City of Healdsburg for repairs
- 2005Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, and Landslides13 households applied for aid$18K aid approved$90K to the City of Healdsburg for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Sonoma County has had 24 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 8 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Sonoma County, 2004–2020.
Old photos of Healdsburg after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Healdsburg archive →Get ready for what Healdsburg 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 Healdsburg
Is Healdsburg at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Healdsburg has higher expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk, #693 of 847 in California. Most of the expected damage is earthquakes (52%) and river and rain flooding (47%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Healdsburg flood?
Flood insurance has paid 52 claims in Healdsburg since 1978, $847K in all, or 10.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 74% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 8 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from California Atmospheric River (1).
Is Healdsburg 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 Sonoma County, 31% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Healdsburg?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Healdsburg’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 Healdsburg?
By FEMA money that reached Healdsburg, Wildfires (2020): 227 households applied for aid, $688K approved, and $22K to the City of Healdsburg for repairs. By flood claims, California Atmospheric River: 1 paid, $43K.
Is Healdsburg at risk from earthquakes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (52%), and Healdsburg’s rate for it is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Healdsburg.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Healdsburg’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.