James H. and Frances E. Laughlin House · Photo: Sanfranman59 · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA puts Windsor’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 97% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Windsor gets a D− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns, #670 of 847 in California. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (58%), then earthquakes (41%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 2005.
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 Windsor 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 Windsor’s grade
River and rain flooding is 58% of the building damage FEMA expects in Windsor, and Windsor’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts. Earthquakes add 41%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
D− #670 of 847 in California; higher expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Windsor’s residents live in 9 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, Windsor has more expected damage per building than 79% of California towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $26.4M a year in losses across Windsor: $22.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Windsor flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 2005
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Windsor, from FEMA’s records: 0.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 97% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Windsor isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Sonoma County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Windsor
Disasters that paid out in Windsor itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Windsor), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2020Wildfires50 households applied for aid$4K aid approved$20K to the Town of Windsor for repairs
- 2017Wildfires215 households applied for aid$20K aid approved$25K to the Town of Windsor for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2005Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, and Landslides6 households applied for aid$26K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
Sonoma County has had 24 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 8 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Sonoma County, 2004–2020.
Old photos of Windsor after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Windsor archive →Windsor and its neighbors
Windsor 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Larkfield-Wikiup | D−more damage than 97% | earthquakes | 3 |
| Windsor | D−more damage than 97% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
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 Windsor 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 Windsor
Is Windsor at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Windsor has higher expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk, #670 of 847 in California. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (58%) and earthquakes (41%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Windsor flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Windsor since 2005, $45K in all, or 0.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 97% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Windsor 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 Sonoma County, 31% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Windsor?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Windsor’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 Windsor?
By FEMA money that reached Windsor, Wildfires (2017): 215 households applied for aid, $20K approved, and $25K to the Town of Windsor for repairs.
Is Windsor at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (58%), and Windsor’s rate for it is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Windsor.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Windsor’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.