Photo: Steveozone · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA puts Lodi’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 84% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lodi gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns, #211 of 847 in California. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (69%), then earthquakes (30%). Flood insurance has paid 5 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 Lodi 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 Lodi’s grade
River and rain flooding is 69% of the building damage FEMA expects in Lodi, and Lodi’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 85% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 30% (higher than 87% of U.S. census tracts).
C− #211 of 847 in California; higher expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Lodi’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, Lodi has less expected damage per building than 75% of California towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $38.7M a year in losses across Lodi: $31.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Lodi flood? Rarely: 5 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Lodi, from FEMA’s records: 0.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 97% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Lodi 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.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Lodi
Disasters that paid out in Lodi itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Lodi), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2022Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides217 households applied for aid$389K aid approved$718K to the City of Lodi for repairs
- 2017Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides$177K to the City of Lodi for repairs
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 Lodi after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Lodi archive →Lodi and its neighbors
Lodi 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lodi | C−more damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Woodbridge | Dmore damage than 92% | river and rain flooding | — |
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 Lodi 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 Lodi
Is Lodi at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lodi has higher expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #211 of 847 in California. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (69%) and earthquakes (30%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Lodi flood?
Flood insurance has paid 5 claims in Lodi since 1978, $14K in all, or 0.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 97% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Lodi 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 Lodi?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Lodi’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 Lodi?
By FEMA money that reached Lodi, Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2022): 217 households applied for aid, $389K approved, and $718K to the City of Lodi for repairs.
Is Lodi at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (69%), and Lodi’s rate for it is higher than 85% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Lodi.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Lodi’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.