Photo: Magi Media (originally uploaded on en.wikipedia.org by Magi Media; transferred to Commons by JaumeBG). · Public domainFEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Big Bear City than almost anywhere in the U.S., led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Big Bear City gets a D− for hazard risk: among the highest expected damage per building of U.S. towns, #800 of 847 in California. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (49%), then wildfire (26%). Flood insurance has paid 4 claims here since 1993.
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 Big Bear City 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 Big Bear City’s grade
River and rain flooding is 49% of the building damage FEMA expects in Big Bear City, and Big Bear City’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts. Wildfire adds 26%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
D− #800 of 847 in California; among the highest expected damage per building of U.S. towns (21,298).
Big Bear City’s residents live in 6 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, Big Bear City has more expected damage per building than 94% of California towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $23.4M a year in losses across Big Bear City: $21.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Big Bear City flood? Rarely: 4 flood claims since 1993
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Big Bear City, from FEMA’s records: 0.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 94% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Big Bear City 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.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Big Bear City
Disasters that paid out in Big Bear City itself (aid to households or repair grants to Big Bear City), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Winter Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides53 households applied for aid$59K aid approved
- 2004Severe Storms, Flooding, Debris Flows, and Mudslides6 households applied for aid$19K aid approved
- 2003Wildfires, Flooding, Mudflow and Debris Flow Directly Related T385 households applied for aid$21K aid approved
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 Big Bear City after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Big Bear City archive →Big Bear City and its neighbors
Big Bear City 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Big Bear Lake | Dmore damage than 92% | earthquakes | 17 |
| Big Bear City | D−among the highest damage | river and rain flooding | 4 |
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 Big Bear City 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 Big Bear City
Is Big Bear City at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Big Bear City has among the highest expected damage per building of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk, #800 of 847 in California. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (49%) and wildfire (26%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Big Bear City flood?
Flood insurance has paid 4 claims in Big Bear City since 1993, $64K in all, or 0.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 94% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Big Bear City 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 Big Bear City?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Big Bear City’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 Big Bear City?
By FEMA money that reached Big Bear City, Severe Winter Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2023): 53 households applied for aid, $59K approved.
Is Big Bear City at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (49%), and Big Bear City’s rate for it is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Big Bear City.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Big Bear City’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.