Hastings Adobe · Photo: Sanfranman59 · CC BY-SA 3.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Pittsburg than in 87% of U.S. towns, mostly from earthquakes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Pittsburg gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns, #258 of 847 in California. Most of that expected damage is earthquakes (56%), then river and rain flooding (41%). Flood insurance has paid 7 claims here since 1982.
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 Pittsburg’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Pittsburg 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 Pittsburg’s grade
Earthquakes are 56% of the building damage FEMA expects in Pittsburg, and Pittsburg’s rate of earthquakes damage is in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 41% (higher than 66% of U.S. census tracts).
D #258 of 847 in California; higher expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Pittsburg’s residents live in 16 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, Pittsburg has less expected damage per building than 70% of California towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $37.4M a year in losses across Pittsburg: $29.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Pittsburg flood? Rarely: 7 flood claims since 1982
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Pittsburg, from FEMA’s records: 0.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 95% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The California Atmospheric River2 claims · $51K
Pittsburg 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.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Pittsburg
Disasters that paid out in Pittsburg itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Pittsburg), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2022Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides87 households applied for aid$76K aid approved$426K to the City of Pittsburg for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2017Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides$21K to the City of Pittsburg for repairs
- 2017Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides$5K to the City of Pittsburg for repairs
- 2017Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides$26K to the City of Pittsburg for repairs
- 2005Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, and Landslides13 households applied for aid$12K 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 Pittsburg after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Pittsburg archive →Pittsburg and its neighbors
Pittsburg is 2nd of the 3 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
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 Pittsburg 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 Pittsburg
Is Pittsburg at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Pittsburg has higher expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #258 of 847 in California. Most of the expected damage is earthquakes (56%) and river and rain flooding (41%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Pittsburg flood?
Flood insurance has paid 7 claims in Pittsburg since 1982, $70K in all, or 0.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 95% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from California Atmospheric River (2).
Is Pittsburg 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 Pittsburg?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Pittsburg’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 Pittsburg?
By FEMA money that reached Pittsburg, Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2022): 87 households applied for aid, $76K approved, and $426K to the City of Pittsburg for repairs. By flood claims, California Atmospheric River: 2 paid, $51K.
Is Pittsburg at risk from earthquakes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (56%), and Pittsburg’s rate for it is in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Pittsburg.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Pittsburg’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.