Photo: Sanfranman59 · CC BY-SA 3.0More hazard damage per building is expected in San Leandro than in 97% of U.S. towns, mostly from earthquakes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, San Leandro gets a D− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns, #676 of 847 in California. Most of that expected damage is earthquakes (66%), then river and rain flooding (33%). Flood insurance has paid 5 claims here since 1998.
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 San Leandro 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 San Leandro’s grade
Earthquakes are 66% of the building damage FEMA expects in San Leandro, and San Leandro’s rate of earthquakes damage is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 33% (higher than 85% of U.S. census tracts).
D− #676 of 847 in California; higher expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns (21,298).
San Leandro’s residents live in 20 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, San Leandro has more expected damage per building than 80% of California towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $111M a year in losses across San Leandro: $81.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does San Leandro flood? Rarely: 5 flood claims since 1998
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in San Leandro, from FEMA’s records: 0.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 98% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The California Atmospheric River1 claim · $15K
- The Pineapple Express - Southern1 claim · $4K
San Leandro is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 8) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Alameda County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to San Leandro
Disasters that paid out in San Leandro itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of San Leandro), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Winter Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$421K to the City of San Leandro for repairs
- 2022Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides146 households applied for aid$272K aid approved$345K to the City of San Leandro for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2017Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides$13K to the City of San Leandro for repairs
- 2005Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, and Landslides$420K to the City of San Leandro for repairs
Alameda County has had 20 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 San Leandro after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the San Leandro archive →San Leandro and its neighbors
San Leandro is 6th 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Castro Valley | Dmore damage than 92% | earthquakes | 17 |
| Ashland | Dmore damage than 93% | earthquakes | 1 |
| San Lorenzo | Dmore damage than 95% | earthquakes | 2 |
| Hayward | Dmore damage than 95% | earthquakes | 16 |
| Oakland | D−more damage than 97% | earthquakes | 103 |
| San Leandro | D−more damage than 97% | earthquakes | 5 |
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 San Leandro 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.
- San Leandro 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 San Leandro
Is San Leandro at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, San Leandro has higher expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk, #676 of 847 in California. Most of the expected damage is earthquakes (66%) and river and rain flooding (33%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does San Leandro flood?
Flood insurance has paid 5 claims in San Leandro since 1998, $48K in all, or 0.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 98% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from California Atmospheric River (1).
Is San Leandro 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 Alameda County, 36% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.8% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in San Leandro?
San Leandro 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 San Leandro?
By FEMA money that reached San Leandro, Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2022): 146 households applied for aid, $272K approved, and $345K to the City of San Leandro for repairs. By flood claims, California Atmospheric River: 1 paid, $15K.
Is San Leandro at risk from earthquakes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (66%), and San Leandro’s rate for it is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in San Leandro.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where San Leandro’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.