On FEMA’s figures, Kentfield faces more hazard damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Kentfield gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns, #485 of 847 in California. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (54%), then earthquakes (46%). Flood insurance has paid 80 claims here since 1980.
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 Kentfield 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 Kentfield’s grade
River and rain flooding is 54% of the building damage FEMA expects in Kentfield, and Kentfield’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts. Earthquakes add 46%, at a rate in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
D #485 of 847 in California; higher expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Kentfield’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, Kentfield has more expected damage per building than 57% of California towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $9.2M a year in losses across Kentfield: $7.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Kentfield flood? Sometimes: 80 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Kentfield, from FEMA’s records: 26.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 87% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Pineapple Express - Southern1 claim · $4K
Kentfield isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Marin County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Kentfield
Disasters that paid out in Kentfield itself (aid to households or repair grants to Kentfield), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2005Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, and Landslides62 households applied for aid$99K aid approved37 flood claims paid that year
Marin County has had 22 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 Kentfield after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Kentfield archive →Kentfield and its neighbors
Kentfield is 2nd of the 5 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mill Valley | Dmore damage than 86% | earthquakes | 144 |
| Kentfield | Dmore damage than 94% | river and rain flooding | 80 |
| Larkspur | D−more damage than 96% | river and rain flooding | 98 |
| San Rafael | D−more damage than 96% | earthquakes | 454 |
| Ross | D−among the highest damage | river and rain flooding | 199 |
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 Kentfield 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 Kentfield
Is Kentfield at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Kentfield has higher expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #485 of 847 in California. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (54%) and earthquakes (46%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Kentfield flood?
Flood insurance has paid 80 claims in Kentfield since 1980, $2.1M in all, or 26.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 87% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Pineapple Express - Southern (1).
Is Kentfield 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 Marin County, 38% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 5.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Kentfield?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Kentfield’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 Kentfield?
By FEMA money that reached Kentfield, Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, and Landslides (2005): 62 households applied for aid, $99K approved. By flood claims, Pineapple Express - Southern: 1 paid, $4K.
Is Kentfield at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (54%), and Kentfield’s rate for it is in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Kentfield.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Kentfield’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.