Photo: en:User:Squirrel 22 · Public domainMore hazard damage per building is expected in Sausalito than in 89% of U.S. towns, led by earthquakes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Sausalito gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns, #290 of 847 in California. Most of that expected damage is earthquakes (38%), then river and rain flooding (33%). Flood insurance has paid 33 claims here since 1978.
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 Sausalito’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Sausalito 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
Tsunamis
Coastal 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 Sausalito’s grade
Earthquakes are 38% of the building damage FEMA expects in Sausalito, and Sausalito’s rate of earthquakes damage is in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts. Tsunamis add 19%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
D #290 of 847 in California; higher expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Sausalito’s residents live in 4 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, Sausalito has less expected damage per building than 66% of California towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $6.5M a year in losses across Sausalito: $5.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Sausalito flood? Sometimes: 33 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Sausalito, from FEMA’s records: 7.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 68% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Pineapple Express - Southern4 claims · $43K
- The California Atmospheric River1 claim · $31K
Sausalito is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 9) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Marin County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Sausalito
Disasters that paid out in Sausalito itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Sausalito), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Winter Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$22K to the City of Sausalito for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2022Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$18K to the City of Sausalito for repairs
- 2019Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$48K to the City of Sausalito for repairs
- 2019Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$580K to the City of Sausalito for repairs
- 2017Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides$47K to the City of Sausalito for repairs
- 2005Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, and Landslides7 households applied for aid$15K aid approved$15K to the City of Sausalito for repairs3 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 Sausalito after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Sausalito archive →Sausalito and its neighbors
Sausalito 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tamalpais-Homestead Valley | Dmore damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | 112 |
| Sausalito | Dmore damage than 89% | earthquakes | 33 |
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 Sausalito 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.
- Strong shaking or a sudden drop in the sea means head for high ground now.
- Learn the tsunami route signs near the shore.
- Stay away until officials say it’s safe.
- Know your evacuation zone and the way off the coast.
- Storm surge comes fast: leave when you’re told, not when the water arrives.
- Move cars to high ground before king tides and nor’easters.
- 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.
- Sausalito residents get 05% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Sausalito
Is Sausalito at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Sausalito has higher expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #290 of 847 in California. Most of the expected damage is earthquakes (38%) and river and rain flooding (33%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Sausalito flood?
Flood insurance has paid 33 claims in Sausalito since 1978, $949K in all, or 7.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 68% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 6 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Pineapple Express - Southern (4).
Is Sausalito 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 Sausalito?
Sausalito is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 9), which takes 05% 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 Sausalito?
By FEMA money that reached Sausalito, Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2019): $580K to the City of Sausalito for repairs. By flood claims, Pineapple Express - Southern: 4 paid, $43K.
Is Sausalito at risk from earthquakes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (38%), and Sausalito’s rate for it is in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Sausalito.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Sausalito’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.