Photo: Sanfranman59 · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Vallejo than in 91% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Vallejo gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns, #368 of 847 in California. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (51%), then earthquakes (48%). Flood insurance has paid 106 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 Vallejo’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Vallejo 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 Vallejo’s grade
River and rain flooding is 51% of the building damage FEMA expects in Vallejo, and Vallejo’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 85% of U.S. census tracts. Earthquakes add 48%, at a rate in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
D #368 of 847 in California; higher expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Vallejo’s residents live in 33 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, Vallejo has less expected damage per building than 57% of California towns.
Among the 400 U.S. cities of 100,000 or more, Vallejo has higher expected damage per building than 85% (#339 of 400). Because it is so big, its total expected yearly loss, $70.0M, is the 172th largest of those 400.
Does Vallejo flood? Yes: 106 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Vallejo, from FEMA’s records: 2.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 59% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The February California Atmospheric River1 claim · $7K
- The California Atmospheric River1 claim · $4K
- The Pineapple Express - Southern1 claim · $5K
Vallejo 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.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Vallejo
Disasters that paid out in Vallejo itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Vallejo), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2020Wildfires276 households applied for aid$58K aid approved
- 2017Wildfires2 households applied for aid$165K to the City of Vallejo for repairs
- 2017Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides$166K to the City of Vallejo for repairs
- 2017Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides$193K to the City of Vallejo for repairs
- 2014Earthquake1,483 households applied for aid$1.3M aid approved$429K to the City of Vallejo for repairs
- 2005Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, and Landslides65 households applied for aid$42K aid approved$237K to the City of Vallejo for repairs13 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 Vallejo after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Vallejo archive →Vallejo and its neighbors
Vallejo 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 Vallejo 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.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Vallejo
Is Vallejo at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Vallejo has higher expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #368 of 847 in California. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (51%) and earthquakes (48%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Vallejo flood?
Flood insurance has paid 106 claims in Vallejo since 1978, $944K in all, or 2.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 59% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 18 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from February California Atmospheric River (1).
Is Vallejo 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 Vallejo?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Vallejo’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 Vallejo?
By FEMA money that reached Vallejo, Earthquake (2014): 1,483 households applied for aid, $1.3M approved, and $429K to the City of Vallejo for repairs. By flood claims, February California Atmospheric River: 1 paid, $7K.
Is Vallejo at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (51%), and Vallejo’s rate for it is higher than 85% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Vallejo.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Vallejo’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.