More hazard damage per building is expected in Bonita than in 87% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bonita gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns, #261 of 847 in California. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (79%), then earthquakes (18%). Flood insurance has paid 10 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 Bonita 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 Bonita’s grade
River and rain flooding is 79% of the building damage FEMA expects in Bonita, and Bonita’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts. Wildfire adds 3%, at a rate in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
D #261 of 847 in California; higher expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Bonita’s residents live in 7 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, Bonita has less expected damage per building than 69% of California towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.6M a year in losses across Bonita: $5.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Bonita flood? Sometimes: 10 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Bonita, from FEMA’s records: 2.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 59% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The San Diego Flooding2 claims · $52K
- The Pineapple Express - Southern1 claim · $6K
Bonita 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 Diego County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Bonita
Disasters that paid out in Bonita itself (aid to households or repair grants to Bonita), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storm and Flooding36 households applied for aid$33K aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
- 2004Severe Storms, Flooding, Debris Flows, and Mudslides15 households applied for aid$26K aid approved
San Diego County has had 30 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 18 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in San Diego County, 2002–2018.
Old photos of Bonita after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Bonita archive →Bonita and its neighbors
Bonita is 5th of the 5 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chula Vista | Cmore damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 16 |
| San Diego | Cmore damage than 73% | river and rain flooding | 589 |
| La Presa | C−more damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 33 |
| National City | C−more damage than 81% | river and rain flooding | 42 |
| Bonita | Dmore damage than 87% | river and rain flooding | 10 |
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 Bonita 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 Bonita
Is Bonita at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bonita has higher expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #261 of 847 in California. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (79%) and earthquakes (18%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Bonita flood?
Flood insurance has paid 10 claims in Bonita since 1980, $96K in all, or 2.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 59% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from San Diego Flooding (2).
Is Bonita 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 Diego County, 24% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Bonita?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Bonita’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 Bonita?
By FEMA money that reached Bonita, Severe Storm and Flooding (2024): 36 households applied for aid, $33K approved. By flood claims, San Diego Flooding: 2 paid, $52K.
Is Bonita at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (79%), and Bonita’s rate for it is in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Bonita.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Bonita’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.