Photo: Binksternet · Public domainFEMA puts Novato’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 94% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Novato 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 river and rain flooding (60%), then earthquakes (36%). Flood insurance has paid 323 claims here since 1980.
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 Novato’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Novato 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 Novato’s grade
River and rain flooding is 60% of the building damage FEMA expects in Novato, and Novato’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts. Earthquakes add 36%, at a rate in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
D #479 of 847 in California; higher expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Novato’s residents live in 14 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, Novato has more expected damage per building than 57% of California towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $44.2M a year in losses across Novato: $39.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Novato flood? Yes: 323 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Novato, from FEMA’s records: 15.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 80% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Pineapple Express - Southern33 claims · $322K
- The California Atmospheric River4 claims · $116K
Novato is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 6) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Marin County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Novato
Disasters that paid out in Novato itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Novato), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2022Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$66K to the City of Novato for repairs
- 2017Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides$8K to the City of Novato for repairs
- 2017Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides$17K to the City of Novato for repairs
- 2005Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, and Landslides27 households applied for aid$59K aid approved$193K to the City of Novato for repairs24 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 Novato after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Novato archive →Novato and its neighbors
Novato is 3rd of the 3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lucas Valley-Marinwood | Dmore damage than 91% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Black Point-Green Point | Dmore damage than 93% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Novato | Dmore damage than 94% | river and rain flooding | 323 |
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 Novato 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.
- Novato residents get 20% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Novato
Is Novato at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Novato 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 river and rain flooding (60%) and earthquakes (36%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Novato flood?
Flood insurance has paid 323 claims in Novato since 1980, $3.4M in all, or 15.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 80% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 41 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Pineapple Express - Southern (33).
Is Novato 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 Novato?
Novato is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 6), which takes 20% 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 Novato?
By FEMA money that reached Novato, Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, and Landslides (2005): 27 households applied for aid, $59K approved, and $193K to the City of Novato for repairs. By flood claims, Pineapple Express - Southern: 33 paid, $322K.
Is Novato at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (60%), and Novato’s rate for it is in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Novato.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Novato’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.