Photo: NoeHill · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Willows than in 78% of U.S. towns, mostly from earthquakes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Willows gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns, #157 of 847 in California. Most of that expected damage is earthquakes (61%), then river and rain flooding (39%). Flood insurance has paid 69 claims here since 1983.
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 Willows faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Earthquakes
River and rain flooding
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 Willows’ grade
Earthquakes are 61% of the building damage FEMA expects in Willows, and Willows’ rate of earthquakes damage is in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 39% (lower than 59% of U.S. census tracts).
C− #157 of 847 in California; higher expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Willows’ 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, Willows has less expected damage per building than 82% of California towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.3M a year in losses across Willows: $2.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Willows flood? Sometimes: 69 flood claims since 1983
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Willows, from FEMA’s records: 27.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 88% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Pineapple Express - Southern49 claims · $494K
Willows isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Glenn County.The storms Willows remembers
None of the 18 disasters declared for Glenn County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching Willows itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 199849 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Winter Storms and Flooding, declared for Glenn County
- 199514 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Winter Storms, Flooding Landslides, Mud Flow, declared for Glenn County
- 19832 flood claims paidThe year of Coastal Storms, Floods, Slides and Tornadoes, declared for Glenn County
Glenn County has had 18 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 Willows after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Willows archive →Get ready for what Willows faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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.
- 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 Willows
Is Willows at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Willows has higher expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #157 of 847 in California. Most of the expected damage is earthquakes (61%) and river and rain flooding (39%). 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 Willows flood?
Flood insurance has paid 69 claims in Willows since 1983, $601K in all, or 27.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 88% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 9 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Pineapple Express - Southern (49).
Is Willows 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 Glenn County, 23% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 3.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Willows?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Willows’ 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 Willows?
By flood claims, Pineapple Express - Southern: 49 paid, $494K.
Is Willows at risk from earthquakes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (61%), and Willows’ rate for it is in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Willows.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Willows’ 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.