Photo: Slamslam102 · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in Lathrop as in the typical U.S. town, mostly from earthquakes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lathrop gets a B− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 53% of U.S. towns, #58 of 847 in California. Most of that expected damage is earthquakes (66%), then river and rain flooding (32%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2006.
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 Lathrop 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 Lathrop’s grade
Earthquakes are 66% of the building damage FEMA expects in Lathrop, and Lathrop’s rate of earthquakes damage is higher than 89% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 32% (lower than 89% of U.S. census tracts).
B− #58 of 847 in California; higher expected damage per building than 53% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Lathrop’s residents live in 7 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, Lathrop has less expected damage per building than 93% of California towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $16.6M a year in losses across Lathrop: $12.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Lathrop flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2006
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Lathrop, from FEMA’s records: 0.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 99% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Lathrop 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.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Lathrop
Disasters that paid out in Lathrop itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Lathrop), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2022Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides22 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
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 Lathrop after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Lathrop archive →Lathrop and its neighbors
Lathrop 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lathrop | B−more damage than 53% | earthquakes | 1 |
| French Camp | Cmore damage than 75% | earthquakes | — |
| Manteca | C−more damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
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 Lathrop 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 Lathrop
Is Lathrop at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lathrop has higher expected damage per building than 53% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #58 of 847 in California. Most of the expected damage is earthquakes (66%) and river and rain flooding (32%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Lathrop flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Lathrop since 2006, $7K in all, or 0.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 99% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Lathrop 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 Lathrop?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Lathrop’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 Lathrop?
By FEMA money that reached Lathrop, Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2022): 22 households applied for aid, $3K approved.
Is Lathrop at risk from earthquakes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (66%), and Lathrop’s rate for it is higher than 89% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Lathrop.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Lathrop’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.