Photo: Robert Hsiao · CC BY-SA 4.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Oakland than in 97% of U.S. towns, mostly from earthquakes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Oakland gets a D− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns, #661 of 847 in California. Most of that expected damage is earthquakes (71%), then river and rain flooding (28%). Flood insurance has paid 103 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 Oakland’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Oakland 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 Oakland’s grade
Earthquakes are 71% of the building damage FEMA expects in Oakland, and Oakland’s rate of earthquakes damage is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 28% (higher than 78% of U.S. census tracts).
D− #661 of 847 in California; higher expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Oakland’s residents live in 117 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, Oakland has more expected damage per building than 78% of California towns.
Among the 400 U.S. cities of 100,000 or more, Oakland has higher expected damage per building than 96% (#383 of 400). Because it is so big, its total expected yearly loss, $523M, is the 10th largest of those 400.
Does Oakland flood? Yes: 103 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Oakland, from FEMA’s records: 0.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 88% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The California Atmospheric River10 claims · $273K
- The Pineapple Express - Southern9 claims · $46K
Oakland isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Alameda County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Oakland
Disasters that paid out in Oakland itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Oakland), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Winter Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$1.6M to the City of Oakland for repairs6 flood claims paid that year
- 2022Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides1,022 households applied for aid$2.6M aid approved$2.1M to the City of Oakland for repairs4 flood claims paid that year
- 2017Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides$1.1M to the City of Oakland for repairs
- 2017Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides$811K to the City of Oakland for repairs
- 2006Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$3.3M to the City of Oakland for repairs
- 2005Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, and Landslides$1.3M to the City of Oakland for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
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 Oakland after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Oakland archive →Oakland and its neighbors
Oakland is 7th of the 9 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brisbane | Dmore damage than 90% | earthquakes | 3 |
| Castro Valley | Dmore damage than 92% | earthquakes | 17 |
| Emeryville | Dmore damage than 94% | earthquakes | 1 |
| Hayward | Dmore damage than 95% | earthquakes | 16 |
| South San Francisco | D−more damage than 96% | earthquakes | 76 |
| Berkeley | D−more damage than 97% | earthquakes | 15 |
| Oakland | D−more damage than 97% | earthquakes | 103 |
| San Leandro | D−more damage than 97% | earthquakes | 5 |
| Alameda | D−more damage than 98% | earthquakes | 34 |
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 Oakland 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 Oakland
Is Oakland at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Oakland has higher expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk, #661 of 847 in California. Most of the expected damage is earthquakes (71%) and river and rain flooding (28%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Oakland flood?
Flood insurance has paid 103 claims in Oakland since 1978, $655K in all, or 0.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 88% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 8 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from California Atmospheric River (10).
Is Oakland 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 Oakland?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Oakland’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 Oakland?
By FEMA money that reached Oakland, Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2022): 1,022 households applied for aid, $2.6M approved, and $2.1M to the City of Oakland for repairs. By flood claims, California Atmospheric River: 10 paid, $273K.
Is Oakland at risk from earthquakes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (71%), and Oakland’s rate for it is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Oakland.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Oakland’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.