Photo: Father of Nehrams2020 · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Atwater than in 67% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Atwater gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns, #106 of 847 in California. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (68%), then earthquakes (31%). Flood insurance has paid 2 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 Atwater 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 Atwater’s grade
River and rain flooding is 68% of the building damage FEMA expects in Atwater, and Atwater’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 69% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 31% (higher than 85% of U.S. census tracts).
C #106 of 847 in California; higher expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Atwater’s residents live in 9 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, Atwater has less expected damage per building than 88% of California towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $7.7M a year in losses across Atwater: $6.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Atwater flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Atwater, 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.
Atwater isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Merced County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Atwater
Disasters that paid out in Atwater itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Atwater), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2022Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides178 households applied for aid$587K aid approved$31K to the City of Atwater for repairs
Merced County has had 16 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 Atwater after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Atwater archive →Atwater and its neighbors
Atwater is 3rd of the 3 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
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 Atwater 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 Atwater
Is Atwater at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Atwater has higher expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #106 of 847 in California. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (68%) and earthquakes (31%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Atwater flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Atwater since 1980, $12K in all, or 0.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 97% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Atwater 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 Merced County, 24% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 5.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Atwater?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Atwater’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 Atwater?
By FEMA money that reached Atwater, Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2022): 178 households applied for aid, $587K approved, and $31K to the City of Atwater for repairs.
Is Atwater at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (68%), and Atwater’s rate for it is higher than 69% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Atwater.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Atwater’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.