Photo: Chandlernews · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Chandler faces about as much hazard damage per building as the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Chandler gets a B− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns, #33 of 140 in Arizona. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (95%). Flood insurance has paid 3 claims here since 2014.
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 Chandler 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
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 Chandler’s grade
River and rain flooding is 95% of the building damage FEMA expects in Chandler, and Chandler’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 77% of U.S. census tracts.
B− #33 of 140 in Arizona; higher expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Chandler’s residents live in 63 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Arizona town has higher expected damage than 78% of U.S. towns; within the state, Chandler has less expected damage per building than 77% of Arizona towns.
Among the 400 U.S. cities of 100,000 or more, Chandler has lower expected damage per building than 56% (#178 of 400). Because it is so big, its total expected yearly loss, $125M, is the 81th largest of those 400.
Does Chandler flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 2014
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Chandler, from FEMA’s records: 0.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 100% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Chandler is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Maricopa County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Chandler
Disasters that paid out in Chandler itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Chandler), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2014Severe Storms and Flooding$163K to the City of Chandler for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
Its 2 counties have had 12 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often floods, then severe storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Also 11 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in its 2 counties, 2005–2024.
Old photos of Chandler after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Chandler archive →Chandler and its neighbors
Chandler has the lowest expected damage per building of the 5 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chandler | B−more damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Mesa | Cmore damage than 65% | river and rain flooding | 37 |
| Gilbert | Cmore damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | 12 |
| Sun Lakes | Cmore damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Tempe | C−more damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 22 |
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 Chandler 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.
- 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.
- Chandler residents get 15% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Chandler
Is Chandler at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Chandler has higher expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #33 of 140 in Arizona. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (95%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Chandler flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in Chandler since 2014, $552K in all, or 0.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 100% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Chandler 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 Maricopa County, 29% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Chandler?
Chandler is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7), which takes 15% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Chandler?
By FEMA money that reached Chandler, Severe Storms and Flooding (2014): $163K to the City of Chandler for repairs.
Is Chandler at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (95%), and Chandler’s rate for it is higher than 77% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Chandler.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Chandler’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.