Pena Adobe · Photo: Brian Irwin · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Vacaville than in 92% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Vacaville gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns, #423 of 847 in California. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (69%), then earthquakes (30%). Flood insurance has paid 81 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 Vacaville’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Vacaville 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
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 Vacaville’s grade
River and rain flooding is 69% of the building damage FEMA expects in Vacaville, and Vacaville’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 30% (higher than 89% of U.S. census tracts).
D #423 of 847 in California; higher expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Vacaville’s residents live in 23 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, Vacaville has less expected damage per building than 50% of California towns.
Among the 400 U.S. cities of 100,000 or more, Vacaville has higher expected damage per building than 87% (#348 of 400). Because it is so big, its total expected yearly loss, $63.3M, is the 194th largest of those 400.
Does Vacaville flood? Sometimes: 81 flood claims since 1982
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Vacaville, from FEMA’s records: 2.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 58% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The California Atmospheric River3 claims · $13K
- The Pineapple Express - Southern1 claim · $611
Vacaville is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 8) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Solano County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Vacaville
Disasters that paid out in Vacaville itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Vacaville), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2020Wildfires636 households applied for aid$892K aid approved$288K to the City of Vacaville for repairs
- 2017Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides$599K to the City of Vacaville for repairs
- 2017Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides$320K to the City of Vacaville for repairs
- 2014Earthquake27 households applied for aid$12K aid approved
- 2005Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, and Landslides683 households applied for aid$1.5M aid approved$1.7M to the City of Vacaville for repairs35 flood claims paid that year
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 Vacaville after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Vacaville archive →Vacaville and its neighbors
Vacaville is 3rd of the 3 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
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 Vacaville 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.
- 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.
- Vacaville 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 Vacaville
Is Vacaville at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Vacaville has higher expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #423 of 847 in California. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (69%) and earthquakes (30%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Vacaville flood?
Flood insurance has paid 81 claims in Vacaville since 1982, $2.5M in all, or 2.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 58% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 7 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from California Atmospheric River (3).
Is Vacaville 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 Vacaville?
Vacaville 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 Vacaville?
By FEMA money that reached Vacaville, Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, and Landslides (2005): 683 households applied for aid, $1.5M approved, and $1.7M to the City of Vacaville for repairs. By flood claims, California Atmospheric River: 3 paid, $13K.
Is Vacaville at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (69%), and Vacaville’s rate for it is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Vacaville.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Vacaville’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.