Photo: Bobak Ha'Eri · CC BY 3.0FEMA puts Bakersfield’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 71% of U.S. towns, mostly from earthquakes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bakersfield gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns, #119 of 847 in California. Most of that expected damage is earthquakes (51%), then river and rain flooding (48%). Flood insurance has paid 15 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 Bakersfield 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
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 Bakersfield’s grade
Earthquakes are 51% of the building damage FEMA expects in Bakersfield, and Bakersfield’s rate of earthquakes damage is higher than 88% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 48% (higher than 55% of U.S. census tracts).
C #119 of 847 in California; higher expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Bakersfield’s residents live in 130 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, Bakersfield has less expected damage per building than 86% of California towns.
Among the 400 U.S. cities of 100,000 or more, Bakersfield has higher expected damage per building than 64% (#257 of 400). Because it is so big, its total expected yearly loss, $138M, is the 70th largest of those 400.
Does Bakersfield flood? Sometimes: 15 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Bakersfield, from FEMA’s records: 0.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 99% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Pineapple Express - Southern1 claim · $7K
Bakersfield isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Kern County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Bakersfield
Disasters that paid out in Bakersfield itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Bakersfield), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Winter Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides259 households applied for aid$133K aid approved$852K to the City of Bakersfield for repairs
- 2020Wildfires1 households applied for aid$500 aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2017Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides$71K to the City of Bakersfield for repairs
- 2010Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Debris and Mud Flows$851K to the City of Bakersfield for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms, Flooding, Debris Flows, and Mudslides29 households applied for aid$4K aid approved
Kern County has had 22 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 Kern County, 2002–2024.
Old photos of Bakersfield after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Bakersfield archive →Bakersfield and its neighbors
Bakersfield is 5th of the 10 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| La Cresta | B−less damage than 50% | earthquakes | — |
| East Bakersfield | C+more damage than 57% | earthquakes | 1 |
| Oildale | C+more damage than 60% | earthquakes | — |
| Greenacres | C+more damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Bakersfield | Cmore damage than 71% | earthquakes | 15 |
| East Niles | Cmore damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Potomac Park | Cmore damage than 74% | earthquakes | — |
| Fairfax | Cmore damage than 75% | earthquakes | — |
| Rosedale | C−more damage than 75% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Greenfield | C−more damage than 76% | earthquakes | — |
| Pumpkin Center | — | 220 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 Bakersfield 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.
- 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 Bakersfield
Is Bakersfield at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bakersfield has higher expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #119 of 847 in California. Most of the expected damage is earthquakes (51%) and river and rain flooding (48%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Bakersfield flood?
Flood insurance has paid 15 claims in Bakersfield since 1980, $65K in all, or 0.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 99% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Pineapple Express - Southern (1).
Is Bakersfield 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 Kern County, 20% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Bakersfield?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Bakersfield’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 Bakersfield?
By FEMA money that reached Bakersfield, Severe Winter Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2023): 259 households applied for aid, $133K approved, and $852K to the City of Bakersfield for repairs. By flood claims, Pineapple Express - Southern: 1 paid, $7K.
Is Bakersfield at risk from earthquakes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (51%), and Bakersfield’s rate for it is higher than 88% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Bakersfield.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Bakersfield’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.