On FEMA’s figures, few U.S. towns expect more hazard damage per building than Ross, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Ross gets a D− for hazard risk: among the highest expected damage per building of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (72%), then earthquakes (28%). Flood insurance has paid 199 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 Ross’ natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Ross 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 Ross’ grade
River and rain flooding is 72% of the building damage FEMA expects in Ross, and Ross’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts. Earthquakes add 28%, at a rate in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
D− among the highest expected damage per building of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Ross’ residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.6M a year in losses across Ross: $5.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Ross flood? Yes: 199 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Ross, from FEMA’s records: 218.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 98% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Pineapple Express - Southern5 claims · $36K
Ross is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 8) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Marin County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Ross
Disasters that paid out in Ross itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Ross), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2005Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, and Landslides83 households applied for aid$142K aid approved$212K to the Town of Ross for repairs95 flood claims paid that year
Marin County has had 22 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 Ross after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Ross archive →Ross and its neighbors
Ross is 4th of the 4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kentfield | Dmore damage than 94% | river and rain flooding | 80 |
| San Rafael | D−more damage than 96% | earthquakes | 454 |
| San Anselmo | D−more damage than 98% | river and rain flooding | 230 |
| Ross | D−among the highest damage | river and rain flooding | 199 |
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 Ross 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.
- Ross residents get 10% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Ross
Is Ross at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Ross has among the highest expected damage per building of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (72%) and earthquakes (28%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Ross flood?
Flood insurance has paid 199 claims in Ross since 1980, $9.6M in all, or 218.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 98% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 15 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Pineapple Express - Southern (5).
Is Ross 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 Marin County, 38% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 5.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Ross?
Ross is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 8), which takes 10% 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 Ross?
By FEMA money that reached Ross, Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, and Landslides (2005): 83 households applied for aid, $142K approved, and $212K to the Town of Ross for repairs. By flood claims, Pineapple Express - Southern: 5 paid, $36K.
Is Ross at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (72%), and Ross’ rate for it is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Ross.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Ross’ 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.