Photo: Dreamyshade · CC BY-SA 4.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Rodeo than in 90% of U.S. towns, mostly from earthquakes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Rodeo gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns, #344 of 847 in California. Most of that expected damage is earthquakes (60%), then river and rain flooding (38%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 1993.
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 Rodeo 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 Rodeo’s grade
Earthquakes are 60% of the building damage FEMA expects in Rodeo, and Rodeo’s rate of earthquakes damage is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 38% (higher than 71% of U.S. census tracts).
D #344 of 847 in California; higher expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Rodeo’s residents live in 2 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, Rodeo has less expected damage per building than 59% of California towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.3M a year in losses across Rodeo: $4.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Rodeo flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 1993
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Rodeo, from FEMA’s records: 0.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 86% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Rodeo 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 Rodeo
Disasters that paid out in Rodeo itself (aid to households or repair grants to Rodeo), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2022Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides15 households applied for aid$25K aid approved
- 2005Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, and Landslides3 households applied for aid$3K 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 Rodeo after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Rodeo archive →Rodeo and its neighbors
Rodeo is 2nd of the 2 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 | — |
| Rodeo | Dmore damage than 90% | earthquakes | 2 |
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 Rodeo 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 Rodeo
Is Rodeo at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Rodeo has higher expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #344 of 847 in California. Most of the expected damage is earthquakes (60%) and river and rain flooding (38%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Rodeo flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Rodeo since 1993, $33K in all, or 0.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 86% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Rodeo 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 Rodeo?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Rodeo’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 Rodeo?
By FEMA money that reached Rodeo, Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2022): 15 households applied for aid, $25K approved.
Is Rodeo at risk from earthquakes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (60%), and Rodeo’s rate for it is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Rodeo.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Rodeo’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.