FEMA puts Adelanto’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 92% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Adelanto gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns, #423 of 847 in California. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (64%), then earthquakes (30%). Flood insurance has paid 4 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 Adelanto 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
Wildfire
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 Adelanto’s grade
River and rain flooding is 64% of the building damage FEMA expects in Adelanto, and Adelanto’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts. Wildfire adds 6%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
D #423 of 847 in California; higher expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Adelanto’s residents live in 8 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, Adelanto has less expected damage per building than 50% of California towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $13.8M a year in losses across Adelanto: $12.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Adelanto flood? Rarely: 4 flood claims since 2005
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Adelanto, from FEMA’s records: 0.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 92% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Adelanto isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: San Bernardino County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Adelanto
Disasters that paid out in Adelanto itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Adelanto), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Winter Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides31 households applied for aid$12K aid approved
- 2010Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Debris and Mud Flows$42K to the City of Adelanto for repairs
- 2010Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Debris and Mud Flows$24K to the City of Adelanto for repairs
- 2005Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mud and Debris Flows$54K to the City of Adelanto for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2004Severe Storms, Flooding, Debris Flows, and Mudslides51 households applied for aid$26K aid approved$151K to the City of Adelanto for repairs
- 2003Wildfires, Flooding, Mudflow and Debris Flow Directly Related T95 households applied for aid$67K aid approved
San Bernardino County has had 34 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 24 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in San Bernardino County, 2002–2024.
Old photos of Adelanto after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Adelanto archive →Adelanto and its neighbors
Adelanto 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Victorville | C−more damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Adelanto | Dmore damage than 92% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
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 Adelanto 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.
- Clear dead leaves and brush within 5 feet of the house.
- Sign up for local alerts and know two ways out.
- Keep N95 masks for smoky days.
- 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 Adelanto
Is Adelanto at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Adelanto has higher expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #423 of 847 in California. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (64%) and earthquakes (30%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Adelanto flood?
Flood insurance has paid 4 claims in Adelanto since 2005, $46K in all, or 0.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 92% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Adelanto 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 San Bernardino County, 15% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Adelanto?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Adelanto’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 Adelanto?
By FEMA money that reached Adelanto, Severe Storms, Flooding, Debris Flows, and Mudslides (2004): 51 households applied for aid, $26K approved, and $151K to the City of Adelanto for repairs.
Is Adelanto at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (64%), and Adelanto’s rate for it is in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Adelanto.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Adelanto’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.