Photo: The original uploader was Griffin5 at English Wikipedia. · Public domainOn FEMA’s figures, West Sacramento faces more hazard damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, West Sacramento gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns, #103 of 847 in California. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (63%), then earthquakes (36%). Flood insurance has paid 14 claims here since 1995.
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 West Sacramento 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 West Sacramento’s grade
River and rain flooding is 63% of the building damage FEMA expects in West Sacramento, and West Sacramento’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 69% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 36% (higher than 85% of U.S. census tracts).
C #103 of 847 in California; higher expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns (21,298).
West Sacramento’s residents live in 13 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, West Sacramento has less expected damage per building than 88% of California towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $20.8M a year in losses across West Sacramento: $17.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does West Sacramento flood? Sometimes: 14 flood claims since 1995
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in West Sacramento, from FEMA’s records: 0.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 85% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Pineapple Express - Southern1 claim · $2K
West Sacramento is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 8) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Yolo County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to West Sacramento
Disasters that paid out in West Sacramento itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of West Sacramento), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2022Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$786K to the City of West Sacramento for repairs
- 2020Wildfires85 households applied for aid$15K aid approved
- 2017Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides$101K to the City of West Sacramento for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Yolo County has had 16 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 2 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Yolo County, 2015–2020.
Old photos of West Sacramento after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the West Sacramento archive →West Sacramento and its neighbors
West Sacramento 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sacramento | B+less damage than 67% | river and rain flooding | 1,013 |
| West Sacramento | Cmore damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 14 |
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 West Sacramento 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.
- West Sacramento 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 West Sacramento
Is West Sacramento at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, West Sacramento has higher expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #103 of 847 in California. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (63%) and earthquakes (36%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does West Sacramento flood?
Flood insurance has paid 14 claims in West Sacramento since 1995, $36K in all, or 0.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 85% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Pineapple Express - Southern (1).
Is West Sacramento 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 Yolo County, 28% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 5.0% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in West Sacramento?
West Sacramento 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 West Sacramento?
By FEMA money that reached West Sacramento, Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2022): $786K to the City of West Sacramento for repairs. By flood claims, Pineapple Express - Southern: 1 paid, $2K.
Is West Sacramento at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (63%), and West Sacramento’s rate for it is higher than 69% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in West Sacramento.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where West Sacramento’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.