FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Apple Valley than in 95% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Apple Valley gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns, #553 of 847 in California. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (75%), then earthquakes (22%). Flood insurance has paid 21 claims here since 1998.
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 Apple Valley 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
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 Apple Valley’s grade
River and rain flooding is 75% of the building damage FEMA expects in Apple Valley, and Apple Valley’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts. Wildfire adds 3%, at a rate in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
D #553 of 847 in California; higher expected damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Apple Valley’s residents live in 18 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, Apple Valley has more expected damage per building than 65% of California towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $47.7M a year in losses across Apple Valley: $44.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Apple Valley flood? Sometimes: 21 flood claims since 1998
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Apple Valley, from FEMA’s records: 0.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 82% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Pineapple Express - Southern7 claims · $102K
- The Winter storm1 claim · $33K
Apple Valley 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.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Apple Valley
Disasters that paid out in Apple Valley itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Apple Valley), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Winter Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides41 households applied for aid$57K aid approved
- 2020Wildfires23 households applied for aid$3K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2010Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Debris and Mud Flows$240K to the Town of Apple Valley for repairs
- 2010Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Debris and Mud Flows$342K to the Town of Apple Valley for repairs
- 2005Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mud and Debris Flows$13K to the Town of Apple Valley for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms, Flooding, Debris Flows, and Mudslides63 households applied for aid$23K aid approved$292K to the Town of Apple Valley for repairs
Show all 7
- 2003Wildfires, Flooding, Mudflow and Debris Flow Directly Related T143 households applied for aid$83K aid approved$3K to the Town of Apple Valley for repairs
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 Apple Valley after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Apple Valley archive →Apple Valley and its neighbors
Apple Valley is 3rd of the 4 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 |
| Hesperia | Dmore damage than 90% | river and rain flooding | 17 |
| Apple Valley | Dmore damage than 95% | river and rain flooding | 21 |
| Spring Valley Lake | D−more damage than 98% | river and rain flooding | — |
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 Apple Valley 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.
- 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 Apple Valley
Is Apple Valley at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Apple Valley has higher expected damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #553 of 847 in California. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (75%) and earthquakes (22%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Apple Valley flood?
Flood insurance has paid 21 claims in Apple Valley since 1998, $536K in all, or 0.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 82% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 3 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Pineapple Express - Southern (7).
Is Apple Valley 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 Apple Valley?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Apple Valley’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 Apple Valley?
By FEMA money that reached Apple Valley, Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Debris and Mud Flows (2010): $342K to the Town of Apple Valley for repairs. By flood claims, Pineapple Express - Southern: 7 paid, $102K.
Is Apple Valley at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (75%), and Apple Valley’s rate for it is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Apple Valley.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Apple Valley’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.