Photo: Nyttend · Public domainFEMA puts Livermore’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 89% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Livermore gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (66%), then earthquakes (13%). Flood insurance has paid 5 claims here since 1997.
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 Livermore 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
Ice storms
Tornadoes
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 Livermore’s grade
River and rain flooding is 66% of the building damage FEMA expects in Livermore, and Livermore’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 88% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 7%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
D higher expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Livermore’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $974K a year in losses across Livermore: $749K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Livermore flood? Rarely: 5 flood claims since 1997
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Livermore, from FEMA’s records: 8.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 70% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Central U.S. April Flooding2 claims · $212K
- The Mid-spring storms1 claim · $20K
- The February Kentucky Flooding1 claim · $1K
Livermore isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: McLean County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Livermore
Disasters that paid out in Livermore itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Livermore), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides44 households applied for aid$484K aid approved$86K to the City of Livermore for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding17 households applied for aid$27K aid approved$91K to the City of Livermore for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2010Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, and Tornadoes$7K to the City of Livermore for repairs
- 2009Severe Winter Storm and Flooding$67K to the City of Livermore for repairs
- 2004Severe Winter Storm and Record Snow$1K to the City of Livermore for repairs
- 2003Severe Storms, Flooding, Mud and Rock Slides, and Tornadoes$5K to the City of Livermore for repairs
McLean County has had 18 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Livermore after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Livermore archive →Get ready for what Livermore 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.
- Ice brings down trees and lines: plan for days without power.
- Run a generator outside, far from doors and windows.
- Keep sand or salt by the door.
- Pick your spot now: the lowest floor, an inside room, no windows.
- A watch means be ready; a warning means take cover now.
- Keep shoes and a flashlight by the bed.
- 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 Livermore
Is Livermore at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Livermore has higher expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (66%) and earthquakes (13%). 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 Livermore flood?
Flood insurance has paid 5 claims in Livermore since 1997, $246K in all, or 8.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 70% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Central U.S. April Flooding (2).
Is Livermore 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 McLean County, 30% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 2.9% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Livermore?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Livermore’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 Livermore?
By FEMA money that reached Livermore, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2025): 44 households applied for aid, $484K approved, and $86K to the City of Livermore for repairs. By flood claims, Central U.S. April Flooding: 2 paid, $212K.
Is Livermore at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (66%), and Livermore’s rate for it is higher than 88% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Livermore.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Livermore’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.