Photo: Rich Shelton · Public domainMore hazard damage per building is expected in Tiburon than in 81% of U.S. towns, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Tiburon gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns, #178 of 847 in California. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (44%), then earthquakes (42%). Flood insurance has paid 23 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 Tiburon’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Tiburon 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
Tsunamis
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 Tiburon’s grade
River and rain flooding is 44% of the building damage FEMA expects in Tiburon, and Tiburon’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 55% of U.S. census tracts. Tsunamis add 9%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #178 of 847 in California; higher expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Tiburon’s residents live in 3 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, Tiburon has less expected damage per building than 79% of California towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $6.1M a year in losses across Tiburon: $5.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Tiburon flood? Sometimes: 23 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Tiburon, from FEMA’s records: 5.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 63% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Pineapple Express - Southern1 claim · $6K
Tiburon isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Marin County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Tiburon
Disasters that paid out in Tiburon itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Tiburon), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2022Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$23K to the Town of Tiburon for repairs
- 2019Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$527K to the Town of Tiburon for repairs
- 2005Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, and Landslides2 households applied for aid$158 aid approved
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 Tiburon after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Tiburon archive →Tiburon and its neighbors
Tiburon has the lowest expected damage per building of the 5 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tiburon | C−more damage than 81% | river and rain flooding | 23 |
| Strawberry | Dmore damage than 85% | river and rain flooding | 20 |
| San Francisco | Dmore damage than 93% | earthquakes | 66 |
| Corte Madera | Dmore damage than 94% | earthquakes | 127 |
| Belvedere | D−more damage than 98% | 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 Tiburon 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.
- 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.
- 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 Tiburon
Is Tiburon at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Tiburon has higher expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #178 of 847 in California. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (44%) and earthquakes (42%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Tiburon flood?
Flood insurance has paid 23 claims in Tiburon since 1980, $439K in all, or 5.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 63% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 4 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Pineapple Express - Southern (1).
Is Tiburon 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 Tiburon?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Tiburon’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 Tiburon?
By FEMA money that reached Tiburon, Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2019): $527K to the Town of Tiburon for repairs. By flood claims, Pineapple Express - Southern: 1 paid, $6K.
Is Tiburon at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (44%), and Tiburon’s rate for it is higher than 55% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Tiburon.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Tiburon’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.