Bernardo Fernandez House · Photo: Sanfranman59 · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA puts Pinole’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 97% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Pinole gets a D− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns, #673 of 847 in California. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (59%), then earthquakes (40%). Flood insurance has paid 4 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 Pinole 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 Pinole’s grade
River and rain flooding is 59% of the building damage FEMA expects in Pinole, and Pinole’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts. Earthquakes add 40%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
D− #673 of 847 in California; higher expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Pinole’s residents live in 8 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, Pinole has more expected damage per building than 79% of California towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $15.8M a year in losses across Pinole: $13.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Pinole flood? Rarely: 4 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Pinole, from FEMA’s records: 0.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 88% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Pinole 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 Pinole
Disasters that paid out in Pinole itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Pinole), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2022Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides30 households applied for aid$58K aid approved$297K to the City of Pinole for repairs
- 2005Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, and Landslides6 households applied for aid$12K aid approved$87K to the City of Pinole for repairs
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 Pinole after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Pinole archive →Pinole and its neighbors
Pinole is 5th of the 6 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hercules | Dmore damage than 90% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Tara Hills | Dmore damage than 92% | earthquakes | — |
| Bayview | Dmore damage than 93% | earthquakes | — |
| Richmond | Dmore damage than 94% | earthquakes | 36 |
| Pinole | D−more damage than 97% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| El Sobrante | D−more damage than 98% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
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 Pinole 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 Pinole
Is Pinole at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Pinole has higher expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk, #673 of 847 in California. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (59%) and earthquakes (40%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Pinole flood?
Flood insurance has paid 4 claims in Pinole since 1978, $16K in all, or 0.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 88% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Pinole 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 Pinole?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Pinole’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 Pinole?
By FEMA money that reached Pinole, Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2022): 30 households applied for aid, $58K approved, and $297K to the City of Pinole for repairs.
Is Pinole at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (59%), and Pinole’s rate for it is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Pinole.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Pinole’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.