Photo: Bobak Ha'Eri · CC BY 3.0FEMA puts Auburn’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 71% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Auburn gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns, #13 of 847 in California. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (67%), then wildfire (23%). Flood insurance has paid 25 claims here since 1986.
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 Auburn’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Auburn 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
Wildfire
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 Auburn’s grade
River and rain flooding is 67% of the building damage FEMA expects in Auburn, and Auburn’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 62% of U.S. census tracts. Wildfire adds 23%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
B+ #13 of 847 in California; lower expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Auburn’s residents live in 8 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, Auburn has less expected damage per building than 99% of California towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $12.8M a year in losses across Auburn: $3.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Auburn flood? Sometimes: 25 flood claims since 1986
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Auburn, from FEMA’s records: 3.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 54% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Auburn isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Placer County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Auburn
Disasters that paid out in Auburn itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Auburn), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Winter Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides6 households applied for aid$5K aid approved
- 2005Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, and Landslides1 households applied for aid$4K to the City of Auburn for repairs
Placer 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.
Also 7 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Placer County, 2002–2022.
Old photos of Auburn after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Auburn archive →Auburn and its neighbors
Auburn 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Auburn | B+less damage than 73% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Auburn | B+less damage than 71% | river and rain flooding | 25 |
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 Auburn 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.
- 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.
- 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 Auburn
Is Auburn at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Auburn has lower expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #13 of 847 in California. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (67%) and wildfire (23%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Auburn flood?
Flood insurance has paid 25 claims in Auburn since 1986, $598K in all, or 3.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 54% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Auburn 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 Placer County, 43% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Auburn?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Auburn’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 Auburn?
By FEMA money that reached Auburn, Severe Winter Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2023): 6 households applied for aid, $5K approved.
Is Auburn at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (67%), and Auburn’s rate for it is lower than 62% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Auburn.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Auburn’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.