FEMA puts Kennedy’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 70% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Kennedy gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns, #112 of 847 in California. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (59%), then earthquakes (40%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims 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 Kennedy 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 Kennedy’s grade
River and rain flooding is 59% of the building damage FEMA expects in Kennedy, and Kennedy’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 59% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 40% (higher than 88% of U.S. census tracts).
C #112 of 847 in California; higher expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Kennedy’s residents live in 3 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, Kennedy has less expected damage per building than 87% of California towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $786K a year in losses across Kennedy: $570K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Kennedy flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 1998
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Kennedy, from FEMA’s records: 2.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 55% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Pineapple Express - Southern1 claim · $2K
Kennedy isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: San Joaquin County.The storms Kennedy remembers
None of the 22 disasters declared for San Joaquin County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching Kennedy itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 19981 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Winter Storms and Flooding, declared for San Joaquin County
- 20001 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
San Joaquin County has had 22 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often floods, then severe storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Kennedy after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Kennedy archive →Kennedy and its neighbors
Kennedy is 2nd of the 2 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stockton | C+more damage than 59% | earthquakes | 28 |
| Kennedy | Cmore damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
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 Kennedy 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.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Kennedy
Is Kennedy at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Kennedy has higher expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #112 of 847 in California. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (59%) and earthquakes (40%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Kennedy flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Kennedy since 1998, $8K in all, or 2.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 55% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Pineapple Express - Southern (1).
Is Kennedy 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 San Joaquin County, 25% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.8% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Kennedy?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Kennedy’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 Kennedy?
By flood claims, Pineapple Express - Southern: 1 paid, $2K.
Is Kennedy at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (59%), and Kennedy’s rate for it is higher than 59% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Kennedy.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Kennedy’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.