Photo: Dicklyon · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Richmond faces more hazard damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns, mostly from earthquakes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Richmond gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns, #516 of 847 in California. Most of that expected damage is earthquakes (68%), then river and rain flooding (30%). Flood insurance has paid 36 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 Richmond 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 Richmond’s grade
Earthquakes are 68% of the building damage FEMA expects in Richmond, and Richmond’s rate of earthquakes damage is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts. Tsunamis add 1%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
D #516 of 847 in California; higher expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Richmond’s residents live in 31 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, Richmond has more expected damage per building than 61% of California towns.
Among the 400 U.S. cities of 100,000 or more, Richmond has higher expected damage per building than 90% (#361 of 400). Because it is so big, its total expected yearly loss, $91.4M, is the 129th largest of those 400.
Does Richmond flood? Sometimes: 36 flood claims since 1982
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Richmond, from FEMA’s records: 0.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 82% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Pineapple Express - Southern2 claims · $12K
Richmond 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.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Richmond
Disasters that paid out in Richmond itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Richmond), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2022Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides139 households applied for aid$136K aid approved$221K to the City of Richmond for repairs
- 2017Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides$9.0M to the City of Richmond for repairs
- 2005Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, and Landslides50 households applied for aid$18K aid approved$136K to the City of Richmond for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
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 Richmond after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Richmond archive →Richmond and its neighbors
Richmond is 7th of the 11 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kensington | Dmore damage than 91% | earthquakes | 1 |
| East Richmond Heights | Dmore damage than 92% | earthquakes | 3 |
| El Cerrito | Dmore damage than 92% | earthquakes | 15 |
| Tara Hills | Dmore damage than 92% | earthquakes | — |
| Montalvin Manor | Dmore damage than 93% | earthquakes | — |
| Bayview | Dmore damage than 93% | earthquakes | — |
| Richmond | Dmore damage than 94% | earthquakes | 36 |
| Albany | D−more damage than 95% | earthquakes | — |
| North Richmond | D−more damage than 97% | earthquakes | — |
| 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 Richmond 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 Richmond
Is Richmond at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Richmond has higher expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #516 of 847 in California. Most of the expected damage is earthquakes (68%) and river and rain flooding (30%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Richmond flood?
Flood insurance has paid 36 claims in Richmond since 1982, $343K in all, or 0.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 82% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 5 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Pineapple Express - Southern (2).
Is Richmond 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 Richmond?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Richmond’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 Richmond?
By FEMA money that reached Richmond, Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides (2017): $9.0M to the City of Richmond for repairs. By flood claims, Pineapple Express - Southern: 2 paid, $12K.
Is Richmond at risk from earthquakes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (68%), and Richmond’s rate for it is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Richmond.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Richmond’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.