Sacramento Northern Railway Historic District · Photo: LPS.1 · CC BY-SA 3.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Suisun City than in 95% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Suisun City gets a D− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns, #588 of 847 in California. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (58%), then earthquakes (25%). Flood insurance has paid 42 claims here since 1982.
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 Suisun City’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Suisun City 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
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 Suisun City’s grade
River and rain flooding is 58% of the building damage FEMA expects in Suisun City, and Suisun City’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts. Earthquakes add 25%, at a rate in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts.
D− #588 of 847 in California; higher expected damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Suisun City’s residents live in 6 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, Suisun City has more expected damage per building than 69% of California towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $17.1M a year in losses across Suisun City: $15.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Suisun City flood? Sometimes: 42 flood claims since 1982
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Suisun City, from FEMA’s records: 4.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 56% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Pineapple Express - Southern3 claims · $33K
Suisun City isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Solano County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Suisun City
Disasters that paid out in Suisun City itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Suisun City), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2014Earthquake17 households applied for aid$7K aid approved
- 2005Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, and Landslides17 households applied for aid$18K aid approved$141K to the City of Suisun City for repairs
Solano County has had 23 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.
Also 4 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Solano County, 2008–2020.
Old photos of Suisun City after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Suisun City archive →Suisun City and its neighbors
Suisun City 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fairfield | Dmore damage than 91% | river and rain flooding | 48 |
| Suisun City | D−more damage than 95% | river and rain flooding | 42 |
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 Suisun City 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.
- 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.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Suisun City
Is Suisun City at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Suisun City has higher expected damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk, #588 of 847 in California. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (58%) and earthquakes (25%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Suisun City flood?
Flood insurance has paid 42 claims in Suisun City since 1982, $366K in all, or 4.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 56% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 3 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Pineapple Express - Southern (3).
Is Suisun City 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 Solano County, 25% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Suisun City?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Suisun City’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 Suisun City?
By FEMA money that reached Suisun City, Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, and Landslides (2005): 17 households applied for aid, $18K approved, and $141K to the City of Suisun City for repairs. By flood claims, Pineapple Express - Southern: 3 paid, $33K.
Is Suisun City at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (58%), and Suisun City’s rate for it is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Suisun City.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Suisun City’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.