Hagemann Ranch Historic District · Photo: Sanfranman59 · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Livermore faces more hazard damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns, mostly from earthquakes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Livermore gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns, #479 of 847 in California. Most of that expected damage is earthquakes (54%), then river and rain flooding (42%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim 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 stands out about Livermore’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Livermore 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 Livermore’s grade
Earthquakes are 54% of the building damage FEMA expects in Livermore, and Livermore’s rate of earthquakes damage is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts. Wildfire adds 3%, at a rate in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
D #479 of 847 in California; higher expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Livermore’s residents live in 20 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, Livermore has more expected damage per building than 57% of California towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $98.4M a year in losses across Livermore: $80.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Livermore flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 1998
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Livermore, from FEMA’s records: 0.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 100% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Pineapple Express - Southern1 claim · $22K
Livermore is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Alameda County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Livermore
Disasters that paid out in Livermore itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Livermore), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2022Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides62 households applied for aid$109K aid approved$615K to the City of Livermore for repairs
- 2020Wildfires16 households applied for aid$41K aid approved
- 2017Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides$4.4M to the City of Livermore for repairs
- 2005Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, and Landslides$4K to the City of Livermore for repairs
Alameda County has had 20 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 Livermore after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Livermore archive →Livermore and its neighbors
Livermore has the lowest expected damage per building of the 2 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Livermore | Dmore damage than 94% | earthquakes | 1 |
| Pleasanton | D−more damage than 98% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
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 Livermore 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.
- Livermore residents get 15% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Livermore
Is Livermore at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Livermore has higher expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #479 of 847 in California. Most of the expected damage is earthquakes (54%) and river and rain flooding (42%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Livermore flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Livermore since 1998, $22K in all, or 0.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 100% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Pineapple Express - Southern (1).
Is Livermore 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 Alameda County, 36% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.8% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Livermore?
Livermore is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7), which takes 15% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Livermore?
By FEMA money that reached Livermore, Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides (2017): $4.4M to the City of Livermore for repairs. By flood claims, Pineapple Express - Southern: 1 paid, $22K.
Is Livermore at risk from earthquakes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (54%), and Livermore’s rate for it is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Livermore.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Livermore’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.