Photo: Sanfranman59 · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Larkspur than in 96% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Larkspur gets a D− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns, #596 of 847 in California. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (51%), then earthquakes (42%). Flood insurance has paid 98 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 stands out about Larkspur’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Larkspur 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
Coastal 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 Larkspur’s grade
River and rain flooding is 51% of the building damage FEMA expects in Larkspur, and Larkspur’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts. Earthquakes add 42%, at a rate in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
D− #596 of 847 in California; higher expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Larkspur’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, Larkspur has more expected damage per building than 70% of California towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $14.9M a year in losses across Larkspur: $12.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Larkspur flood? Sometimes: 98 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Larkspur, from FEMA’s records: 15.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 80% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Pineapple Express - Southern15 claims · $277K
Larkspur 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.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Larkspur
Disasters that paid out in Larkspur itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Larkspur), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Winter Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$272K to the City of Larkspur for repairs
- 2022Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$83K to the City of Larkspur for repairs
- 2017Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides$435K to the City of Larkspur for repairs
- 2017Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides$48K to the City of Larkspur for repairs
- 2006Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$252K to the City of Larkspur for repairs
- 2005Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, and Landslides21 households applied for aid$37K aid approved$706K to the City of Larkspur for repairs23 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 Larkspur after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Larkspur archive →Larkspur and its neighbors
Larkspur is 4th 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 |
| Corte Madera | Dmore damage than 94% | earthquakes | 127 |
| Larkspur | D−more damage than 96% | river and rain flooding | 98 |
| San Rafael | D−more damage than 96% | earthquakes | 454 |
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 Larkspur 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.
- Know your evacuation zone and the way off the coast.
- Storm surge comes fast: leave when you’re told, not when the water arrives.
- Move cars to high ground before king tides and nor’easters.
- 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 Larkspur
Is Larkspur at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Larkspur has higher expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk, #596 of 847 in California. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (51%) and earthquakes (42%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Larkspur flood?
Flood insurance has paid 98 claims in Larkspur since 1978, $2.8M in all, or 15.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 80% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 7 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Pineapple Express - Southern (15).
Is Larkspur 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 Larkspur?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Larkspur’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 Larkspur?
By FEMA money that reached Larkspur, Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, and Landslides (2005): 21 households applied for aid, $37K approved, and $706K to the City of Larkspur for repairs. By flood claims, Pineapple Express - Southern: 15 paid, $277K.
Is Larkspur at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (51%), and Larkspur’s rate for it is in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Larkspur.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Larkspur’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.