Photo: CrispyCream27 · CC BY-SA 4.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Anaheim than in 90% of U.S. towns, mostly from earthquakes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Anaheim gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns, #309 of 847 in California. Most of that expected damage is earthquakes (65%), then river and rain flooding (34%). Flood insurance has paid 21 claims here since 1980.
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 stands out about Anaheim’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Anaheim faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Earthquakes
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 Anaheim’s grade
Earthquakes are 65% of the building damage FEMA expects in Anaheim, and Anaheim’s rate of earthquakes damage is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 34% (higher than 65% of U.S. census tracts).
D #309 of 847 in California; higher expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Anaheim’s residents live in 78 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, Anaheim has less expected damage per building than 64% of California towns.
Among the 400 U.S. cities of 100,000 or more, Anaheim has higher expected damage per building than 83% (#333 of 400). Because it is so big, its total expected yearly loss, $190M, is the 48th largest of those 400.
Does Anaheim flood? Sometimes: 21 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Anaheim, 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.
- The Pineapple Express - Southern3 claims · $2K
Anaheim is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 6) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Orange County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Anaheim
Disasters that paid out in Anaheim itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Anaheim), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2017Wildfires209 households applied for aid$42K aid approved$482K to the City of Anaheim for repairs
- 2017Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides$192K to the City of Anaheim for repairs
- 2010Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Debris and Mud Flows$236K to the City of Anaheim for repairs
- 2008Wildfires99 households applied for aid$130K aid approved$228K to the City of Anaheim for repairs
- 2007Wildfires, Flooding, Mud Flows, and Debris Flows11 households applied for aid$12K to the City of Anaheim for repairs
- 2005Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mud and Debris Flows$83K to the City of Anaheim for repairs
Show all 7
- 2004Severe Storms, Flooding, Debris Flows, and Mudslides38 households applied for aid$80K aid approved$2.1M to the City of Anaheim for repairs
Orange County has had 27 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 11 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Orange County, 2002–2022.
Old photos of Anaheim after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Anaheim archive →Anaheim and its neighbors
Anaheim is 2nd of the 8 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Garden Grove | Dmore damage than 90% | earthquakes | 60 |
| Anaheim | Dmore damage than 90% | earthquakes | 21 |
| Stanton | Dmore damage than 90% | earthquakes | 6 |
| Yorba Linda | Dmore damage than 91% | river and rain flooding | 10 |
| Placentia | Dmore damage than 91% | earthquakes | 3 |
| Orange | Dmore damage than 92% | earthquakes | 14 |
| Fullerton | Dmore damage than 93% | earthquakes | 10 |
| Buena Park | D−more damage than 96% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
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 Anaheim faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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.
- Anaheim residents get 20% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Anaheim
Is Anaheim at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Anaheim has higher expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #309 of 847 in California. Most of the expected damage is earthquakes (65%) and river and rain flooding (34%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Anaheim flood?
Flood insurance has paid 21 claims in Anaheim since 1980, $144K in all, or 0.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 97% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Pineapple Express - Southern (3).
Is Anaheim 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 Orange County, 19% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.0% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Anaheim?
Anaheim is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 6), which takes 20% 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 Anaheim?
By FEMA money that reached Anaheim, Severe Storms, Flooding, Debris Flows, and Mudslides (2004): 38 households applied for aid, $80K approved, and $2.1M to the City of Anaheim for repairs. By flood claims, Pineapple Express - Southern: 3 paid, $2K.
Is Anaheim at risk from earthquakes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (65%), and Anaheim’s rate for it is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Anaheim.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Anaheim’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.