On FEMA’s figures, few U.S. towns expect more hazard damage per building than Aromas, mostly from earthquakes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Aromas gets a D− for hazard risk: among the highest expected damage per building of U.S. towns, #762 of 847 in California. Most of that expected damage is earthquakes (53%), then river and rain flooding (39%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 Aromas’ natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Aromas 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
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 Aromas’ grade
Earthquakes are 53% of the building damage FEMA expects in Aromas, and Aromas’ rate of earthquakes damage is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts. River and rain flooding adds 39%, at a rate in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
D− #762 of 847 in California; among the highest expected damage per building of U.S. towns (21,298).
Aromas’ residents live in 2 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, Aromas has more expected damage per building than 90% of California towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.5M a year in losses across Aromas: $3.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Aromas flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Aromas. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Aromas 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 Benito County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Aromas
Disasters that paid out in Aromas itself (aid to households or repair grants to Aromas), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Winter Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides19 households applied for aid$26K aid approved
- 2022Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides21 households applied for aid$83K aid approved
San Benito County has had 15 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.
Old photos of Aromas after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Aromas archive →Aromas and its neighbors
Aromas 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prunedale | D−more damage than 95% | earthquakes | 55 |
| Aromas | D−among the highest damage | earthquakes | 0 |
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 Aromas 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.
- 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 Aromas
Is Aromas at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Aromas has among the highest expected damage per building of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk, #762 of 847 in California. Most of the expected damage is earthquakes (53%) and river and rain flooding (39%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Aromas 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 Benito County, 17% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Aromas?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Aromas’ 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 Aromas?
By FEMA money that reached Aromas, Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2022): 21 households applied for aid, $83K approved.
Is Aromas at risk from earthquakes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (53%), and Aromas’ rate for it is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Aromas.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Aromas’ 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.