Photo: Jonmallard · CC BY-SA 4.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Anderson than in 92% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Anderson gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns, #398 of 847 in California. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (66%), then earthquakes (22%). Flood insurance has paid 24 claims here since 1983.
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 Anderson’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Anderson 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 Anderson’s grade
River and rain flooding is 66% of the building damage FEMA expects in Anderson, and Anderson’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts. Wildfire adds 11%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
D #398 of 847 in California; higher expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Anderson’s residents live in 4 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, Anderson has less expected damage per building than 53% of California towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $6.8M a year in losses across Anderson: $6.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Anderson flood? Sometimes: 24 flood claims since 1983
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Anderson, from FEMA’s records: 4.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 58% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Pineapple Express - Southern1 claim · $468
Anderson isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Shasta County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Anderson
Disasters that paid out in Anderson itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Anderson), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Winter Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$30K to the City of Anderson for repairs
- 2020Wildfires20 households applied for aid$14K aid approved
- 2019Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$408K to the City of Anderson for repairs
- 2017Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides$309K to the City of Anderson for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2005Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, and Landslides6 households applied for aid$11K aid approved
Shasta County has had 23 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 15 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Shasta County, 2002–2021.
Old photos of Anderson after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Anderson archive →Get ready for what Anderson 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 Anderson
Is Anderson at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Anderson has higher expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #398 of 847 in California. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (66%) and earthquakes (22%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Anderson flood?
Flood insurance has paid 24 claims in Anderson since 1983, $198K in all, or 4.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 58% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 3 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Pineapple Express - Southern (1).
Is Anderson 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 Shasta County, 19% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.8% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Anderson?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Anderson’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 Anderson?
By FEMA money that reached Anderson, Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2019): $408K to the City of Anderson for repairs. By flood claims, Pineapple Express - Southern: 1 paid, $468.
Is Anderson at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (66%), and Anderson’s rate for it is in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Anderson.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Anderson’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.