Photo: Jeremy Weate · CC BY 2.0On FEMA’s figures, few U.S. towns expect more hazard damage per building than Willits, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Willits gets a D− for hazard risk: among the highest expected damage per building of U.S. towns, #770 of 847 in California. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (62%), then earthquakes (34%). Flood insurance has paid 6 claims here since 1986.
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 Willits 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 Willits’ grade
River and rain flooding is 62% of the building damage FEMA expects in Willits, and Willits’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts. Earthquakes add 34%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
D− #770 of 847 in California; among the highest expected damage per building of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Willits’ residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical California town has higher expected damage than 92% of U.S. towns; within the state, Willits has more expected damage per building than 91% of California towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $8.6M a year in losses across Willits: $7.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Willits flood? Rarely: 6 flood claims since 1986
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Willits, from FEMA’s records: 2.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 56% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Pineapple Express - Southern1 claim · $4K
Willits isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Mendocino County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Willits
Disasters that paid out in Willits itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Willits), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Winter Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides189 households applied for aid$928K aid approved
- 2022Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides121 households applied for aid$267K aid approved$273K to the City of Willits for repairs
- 2020Wildfires33 households applied for aid$91K aid approved
- 2017Wildfires82 households applied for aid$174K aid approved$96K to the City of Willits for repairs
- 2017Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides$40K to the City of Willits for repairs
- 2005Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, and Landslides33 households applied for aid$17K aid approved$39K to the City of Willits for repairs
Mendocino County has had 25 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 Mendocino County, 2017–2018.
Old photos of Willits after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Willits archive →Willits and its neighbors
Willits 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brooktrails | D−more damage than 96% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Willits | D−among the highest damage | river and rain flooding | 6 |
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 Willits 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 Willits
Is Willits at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Willits has among the highest expected damage per building of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk, #770 of 847 in California. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (62%) and earthquakes (34%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Willits flood?
Flood insurance has paid 6 claims in Willits since 1986, $40K in all, or 2.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 56% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Pineapple Express - Southern (1).
Is Willits 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 Mendocino County, 17% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.0% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Willits?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Willits’ 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 Willits?
By FEMA money that reached Willits, Severe Winter Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2023): 189 households applied for aid, $928K approved. By flood claims, Pineapple Express - Southern: 1 paid, $4K.
Is Willits at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (62%), and Willits’ rate for it is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Willits.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Willits’ 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.