Photo: Colin Marquardt, Colin Marquardt · Public domainOn FEMA’s figures, Petaluma faces more hazard damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Petaluma gets a D− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns, #714 of 847 in California. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (63%), then earthquakes (33%). Flood insurance has paid 366 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 Petaluma’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Petaluma 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 Petaluma’s grade
River and rain flooding is 63% of the building damage FEMA expects in Petaluma, and Petaluma’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts. Earthquakes add 33%, at a rate in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
D− #714 of 847 in California; higher expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Petaluma’s residents live in 15 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, Petaluma has more expected damage per building than 84% of California towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $70.5M a year in losses across Petaluma: $62.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Petaluma flood? Yes: 366 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Petaluma, from FEMA’s records: 14.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 80% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Pineapple Express - Southern107 claims · $2.4M
Petaluma is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 6) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Sonoma County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Petaluma
Disasters that paid out in Petaluma itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Petaluma), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2022Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$104K to the City of Petaluma for repairs
- 2020Wildfires61 households applied for aid$1K aid approved
- 2017Wildfires306 households applied for aid$3K aid approved$50K to the City of Petaluma for repairs
- 2006Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$395K to the City of Petaluma for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2005Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, and Landslides80 households applied for aid$97K aid approved$2.7M to the City of Petaluma for repairs23 flood claims paid that year
Sonoma County has had 24 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.
Also 8 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Sonoma County, 2004–2020.
Old photos of Petaluma after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Petaluma archive →Get ready for what Petaluma 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.
- Petaluma 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 Petaluma
Is Petaluma at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Petaluma has higher expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk, #714 of 847 in California. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (63%) and earthquakes (33%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Petaluma flood?
Flood insurance has paid 366 claims in Petaluma since 1980, $8.7M in all, or 14.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 80% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 35 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Pineapple Express - Southern (107).
Is Petaluma 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 Sonoma County, 31% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Petaluma?
Petaluma 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 Petaluma?
By FEMA money that reached Petaluma, Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, and Landslides (2005): 80 households applied for aid, $97K approved, and $2.7M to the City of Petaluma for repairs. By flood claims, Pineapple Express - Southern: 107 paid, $2.4M.
Is Petaluma at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (63%), and Petaluma’s rate for it is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Petaluma.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Petaluma’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.