Concord, the largest city in Contra Costa County, spreads across the valley floor north of Mount Diablo, bordered by Walnut Creek, Pleasant Hill, Clayton and Pittsburg. Its summers are hot and dry, its winters cool and wet, and the Concord Fault runs right beneath it.
We are Fire & Water Energy, a referral service rather than a restoration firm. A call to (866) 937-3230 lets us try to line you up with an independent contractor who works in Concord, if one is available at the time. Background on the arrangement is on our how it works and referral disclosure pages.
Wet winters, hot summers and a fault underfoot
Precipitation averages 23.91 inches over about 71 days a year, but the swings are large: 1995 brought 46.62 inches, while 2007 managed only 10.57. December 2005 set the monthly record at 12.79 inches. Summers average around 45 days at 90°F or more, and the city hit 113°F on September 1, 2017.
The Concord Fault runs about 11 miles from Mount Diablo to the Carquinez Strait, and USGS researchers call it the most urban fault in the East Bay. A magnitude 5.4 quake on it on October 23, 1955, caused one death. Contra Costa County has been part of five FEMA major disaster declarations since 2000, four of them for winter storms and flooding in 2017 and 2023.
Common sources of indoor water damage
Frost occurs on roughly four mornings a year, and the record low is 24°F from December 1998, so unprotected outdoor lines can occasionally freeze. More often, damage comes from roof leaks during long December and January storms, failing water heaters, and supply lines under sinks and behind washers. Even small earthquakes can stress rigid plumbing connections and gas lines.
Water damage restoration in Concord usually follows a set path: stop the leak, pull out standing water, open up wet walls where needed and dry with monitored equipment. For overhead stains or sagging drywall, see ceiling water damage repair; for pipes, see burst pipe water damage.
Federal disaster declarations that included Contra Costa County
FEMA records show Contra Costa County was included in 5 major disaster declarations for weather or fire events from 2000 through 2026 (3 flood, 2 severe storm, by FEMA incident type). Declarations are made at the county level, so they do not mean every neighborhood in Concord was affected. The most recent:
- 2023 – Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (DR-4683)
- 2017 – Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides (DR-4308)
- 2017 – Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides (DR-4305)
- 2017 – Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides (DR-4301)
- 2006 – Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, and Landslides (DR-1628)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries, retrieved 2026-10-10. Counts include major disaster (DR) declarations with hurricane, flood, severe storm, tropical storm, fire, tornado, coastal storm, winter or ice storm, mudslide and dam/levee incident types.
Water, fire or storm damage in Concord?
Call (866) 937-3230 and tell us what happened at your Concord property.
Soot and smoke after a house fire or wildfire
Vegetation on the slopes around Mount Diablo dries out over the long hot summers, and regional fire smoke can settle over the valley. Indoors, cooking and electrical fires remain the usual starting points for residential fire damage.
Residue from burned plastics and synthetic materials can be acidic and may stain or etch surfaces if left too long. Fire damage cleanup typically includes removing charred materials and ventilating the space, while soot removal targets the film left on walls, cabinets and fixtures.
Storm flooding and wind damage
The 2017 and 2023 federal declarations covering the county cited severe winter storms, flooding and mudslides. Heavy rain on hillsides near Mount Diablo can send runoff into lower streets, and saturated soil makes trees more likely to fall during high winds.
Floodwater entering a home should be considered contaminated. Flood damage restoration generally involves extraction, removing wet drywall and flooring, sanitizing and drying before rebuilding. Roof breaches and tree strikes fall under storm damage cleanup.
Keeping mold from taking hold
Seventy or so rainy days, mostly in winter, mean some homes sit damp for weeks at a time. Mold usually appears first on drywall paper, under carpet and in poorly vented bathrooms and closets.
Following EPA guidance, an area under about 10 square feet can often be cleaned by the homeowner. Anything larger, recurring, or tied to floodwater or sewage should go to mold remediation contractors who use containment, air filtration and post-cleanup moisture checks.
Safety steps for Concord residents
- Call 911 for fire, injuries, gas odors or people trapped by water.
- Register with the county's Community Warning System (CWS), which issues evacuate and shelter-in-place alerts.
- After an earthquake, check for gas leaks and broken water lines before using appliances; shut the gas only if you smell it or hear hissing.
- Photograph all damage and keep receipts for repairs and temporary housing.
- Call your insurer or agent soon. Coverage depends on your policy, and earthquake and flood usually need separate policies.
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Neighborhoods and nearby communities
Nearby communities with their own pages (straight-line distance from Concord):
Concord restoration FAQs
When does Concord get most of its rain?
The wet season runs through the cool months, and December has produced the biggest monthly totals, including 12.79 inches in December 2005. Clean gutters and check roof flashing in the fall.
Can an earthquake cause water damage in my home?
Yes. Shaking can crack pipes, loosen fittings and tip water heaters, and the Concord Fault runs directly under the city. Strap your water heater and know where your water and gas shutoffs are.
How do I get emergency alerts in Contra Costa County?
Register with the Community Warning System at cwsalerts.com. It sends alerts such as evacuation orders and shelter-in-place instructions by phone, text and email.
Do Concord pipes ever freeze?
Occasionally. The city averages a few frosty mornings a year, and it has dropped to 24 degrees. Cover exposed outdoor pipes and hose bibs during cold snaps.
Is Fire & Water Energy a local Concord company?
No. We are a referral service reached at (866) 937-3230 that tries to put you in touch with an independent restoration contractor in the area. The contractor handles the work and pricing.
Restoration guides
- Ceiling Water Damage Repair
- Burst Pipe Water Damage
- Fire Damage Cleanup
- Soot Removal
- Flood Damage Restoration
- Mold Remediation