FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Larkfield-Wikiup than in 97% of U.S. towns, mostly from earthquakes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Larkfield-Wikiup gets a D− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns, #661 of 847 in California. Most of that expected damage is earthquakes (52%), then river and rain flooding (45%). Flood insurance has paid 3 claims here since 1995.
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 Larkfield-Wikiup 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 Larkfield-Wikiup’s grade
Earthquakes are 52% of the building damage FEMA expects in Larkfield-Wikiup, and Larkfield-Wikiup’s rate of earthquakes damage is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts. River and rain flooding adds 45%, at a rate in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
D− #661 of 847 in California; higher expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Larkfield-Wikiup’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, Larkfield-Wikiup has more expected damage per building than 78% of California towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $15.2M a year in losses across Larkfield-Wikiup: $12.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Larkfield-Wikiup flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 1995
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Larkfield-Wikiup, from FEMA’s records: 0.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 82% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Pineapple Express - Southern1 claim · $2K
Larkfield-Wikiup 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.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Larkfield-Wikiup
Disasters that paid out in Larkfield-Wikiup itself (aid to households or repair grants to Larkfield-Wikiup), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2017Wildfires1 households applied for aid$6K aid approved
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 Larkfield-Wikiup after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Larkfield-Wikiup archive →Larkfield-Wikiup and its neighbors
Larkfield-Wikiup has the lowest expected damage per building of the 3 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Larkfield-Wikiup | D−more damage than 97% | earthquakes | 3 |
| Windsor | D−more damage than 97% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Santa Rosa | D−more damage than 98% | river and rain flooding | 30 |
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 Larkfield-Wikiup 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 Larkfield-Wikiup
Is Larkfield-Wikiup at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Larkfield-Wikiup has higher expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk, #661 of 847 in California. Most of the expected damage is earthquakes (52%) and river and rain flooding (45%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Larkfield-Wikiup flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in Larkfield-Wikiup since 1995, $12K in all, or 0.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 82% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Pineapple Express - Southern (1).
Is Larkfield-Wikiup 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 Larkfield-Wikiup?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Larkfield-Wikiup’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 Larkfield-Wikiup?
By FEMA money that reached Larkfield-Wikiup, Wildfires (2017): 1 households applied for aid, $6K approved. By flood claims, Pineapple Express - Southern: 1 paid, $2K.
Is Larkfield-Wikiup at risk from earthquakes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (52%), and Larkfield-Wikiup’s rate for it is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Larkfield-Wikiup.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Larkfield-Wikiup’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.