Photo: Quintin Soloviev · CC BY 4.0FEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in Stockton as in the typical U.S. town, mostly from earthquakes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Stockton gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 59% of U.S. towns, #77 of 847 in California. Most of that expected damage is earthquakes (56%), then river and rain flooding (44%). Flood insurance has paid 28 claims here since 1983.
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 Stockton’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Stockton 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 Stockton’s grade
Earthquakes are 56% of the building damage FEMA expects in Stockton, and Stockton’s rate of earthquakes damage is higher than 88% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 44% (lower than 67% of U.S. census tracts).
C+ #77 of 847 in California; higher expected damage per building than 59% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Stockton’s residents live in 83 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, Stockton has less expected damage per building than 91% of California towns.
Among the 400 U.S. cities of 100,000 or more, Stockton has lower expected damage per building than 50% (#199 of 400). Because it is so big, its total expected yearly loss, $109M, is the 102th largest of those 400.
Does Stockton flood? Sometimes: 28 flood claims since 1983
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Stockton, from FEMA’s records: 0.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 96% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The California Atmospheric River7 claims · $147K
- The Pineapple Express - Southern2 claims · $2K
Stockton is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 8) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: San Joaquin County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Stockton
Disasters that paid out in Stockton itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Stockton), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2022Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides1,300 households applied for aid$1.6M aid approved$2.7M to the City of Stockton for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2006Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$8K to the City of Stockton for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2004Flooding As a Result of a Levee Break$23K to the City of Stockton for repairs
San Joaquin County has had 22 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often floods, then severe storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Stockton after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Stockton archive →Stockton and its neighbors
Stockton is 3rd 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Garden Acres | B+less damage than 69% | earthquakes | — |
| August | B−more damage than 52% | earthquakes | — |
| Stockton | C+more damage than 59% | earthquakes | 28 |
| Kennedy | Cmore damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| French Camp | Cmore damage than 75% | earthquakes | — |
| Morada | C−more damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 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 Stockton 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.
- Stockton 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 Stockton
Is Stockton at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Stockton has higher expected damage per building than 59% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #77 of 847 in California. Most of the expected damage is earthquakes (56%) and river and rain flooding (44%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Stockton flood?
Flood insurance has paid 28 claims in Stockton since 1983, $467K in all, or 0.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 96% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from California Atmospheric River (7).
Is Stockton 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 San Joaquin County, 25% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.8% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Stockton?
Stockton 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 Stockton?
By FEMA money that reached Stockton, Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2022): 1,300 households applied for aid, $1.6M approved, and $2.7M to the City of Stockton for repairs. By flood claims, California Atmospheric River: 7 paid, $147K.
Is Stockton at risk from earthquakes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (56%), and Stockton’s rate for it is higher than 88% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Stockton.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Stockton’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.