Photo: Frank Schulenburg · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Williams than in 86% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Williams gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns, #233 of 847 in California. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (53%), then earthquakes (38%). Flood insurance has paid 10 claims here since 1998.
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 Williams 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
Wildfire
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 Williams’ grade
River and rain flooding is 53% of the building damage FEMA expects in Williams, and Williams’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 76% of U.S. census tracts. Wildfire adds 8%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
D #233 of 847 in California; higher expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Williams’ residents live in 2 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, Williams has less expected damage per building than 73% of California towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $8.1M a year in losses across Williams: $2.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Williams flood? Sometimes: 10 flood claims since 1998
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Williams, from FEMA’s records: 5.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 64% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Pineapple Express - Southern9 claims · $55K
- The February California Atmospheric River1 claim · $39K
Williams isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Colusa County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Williams
Disasters that paid out in Williams itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Williams), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2022Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$20K to the City of Williams for repairs
- 2017Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides$119K to the City of Williams for repairs
- 2005Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, and Landslides$9K to the City of Williams for repairs
Colusa County has had 15 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 Williams after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Williams archive →Get ready for what Williams 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.
- Clear dead leaves and brush within 5 feet of the house.
- Sign up for local alerts and know two ways out.
- Keep N95 masks for smoky days.
- 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 Williams
Is Williams at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Williams has higher expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #233 of 847 in California. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (53%) and earthquakes (38%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Williams flood?
Flood insurance has paid 10 claims in Williams since 1998, $95K in all, or 5.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 64% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Pineapple Express - Southern (9).
Is Williams 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 Colusa County, 72% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 6.9% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Williams?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Williams’ 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 Williams?
By FEMA money that reached Williams, Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides (2017): $119K to the City of Williams for repairs. By flood claims, Pineapple Express - Southern: 9 paid, $55K.
Is Williams at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (53%), and Williams’ rate for it is higher than 76% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Williams.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Williams’ 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.