William T. Hendrick House · Photo: Sanfranman59 · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, few U.S. towns expect more hazard damage per building than Pacheco, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Pacheco gets a D− for hazard risk: among the highest expected damage per building of U.S. towns, #775 of 847 in California. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (63%), then earthquakes (37%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 Pacheco 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 Pacheco’s grade
River and rain flooding is 63% of the building damage FEMA expects in Pacheco, and Pacheco’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts. Earthquakes add 37%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
D− #775 of 847 in California; among the highest expected damage per building of U.S. towns (21,298).
Pacheco’s residents live in 3 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, Pacheco has more expected damage per building than 91% of California towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $12.2M a year in losses across Pacheco: $10.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Pacheco flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Pacheco. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Pacheco isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Contra Costa County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Pacheco
Disasters that paid out in Pacheco itself (aid to households or repair grants to Pacheco), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2022Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides3 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
- 2005Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, and Landslides16 households applied for aid$4K aid approved
Contra Costa County has had 17 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 Pacheco after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Pacheco archive →Pacheco and its neighbors
Pacheco 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Martinez | Dmore damage than 92% | earthquakes | 87 |
| Pleasant Hill | D−more damage than 95% | river and rain flooding | 34 |
| Pacheco | D−among the highest damage | river and rain flooding | 0 |
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 Pacheco 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 Pacheco
Is Pacheco at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Pacheco has among the highest expected damage per building of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk, #775 of 847 in California. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (63%) and earthquakes (37%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Pacheco 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 Contra Costa County, 28% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.9% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Pacheco?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Pacheco’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 Pacheco?
By FEMA money that reached Pacheco, Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, and Landslides (2005): 16 households applied for aid, $4K approved.
Is Pacheco at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (63%), and Pacheco’s rate for it is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Pacheco.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Pacheco’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.