Photo: Taken by Antandrus · Public domainFEMA puts Buellton’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 91% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Buellton gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns, #356 of 847 in California. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (66%), then earthquakes (29%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 Buellton 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 Buellton’s grade
River and rain flooding is 66% of the building damage FEMA expects in Buellton, and Buellton’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts. Wildfire adds 4%, at a rate in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
D #356 of 847 in California; higher expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Buellton’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical California town has higher expected damage than 92% of U.S. towns; within the state, Buellton has less expected damage per building than 58% of California towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.9M a year in losses across Buellton: $3.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Buellton flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Buellton. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Buellton isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Santa Barbara County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Buellton
Disasters that paid out in Buellton itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Buellton), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2022Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides8 households applied for aid$300 aid approved
Santa Barbara County has had 32 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 8 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Santa Barbara County, 2004–2021.
Old photos of Buellton after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Buellton archive →Get ready for what Buellton 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 Buellton
Is Buellton at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Buellton has higher expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #356 of 847 in California. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (66%) and earthquakes (29%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Buellton 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 Santa Barbara County, 27% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.9% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Buellton?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Buellton’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 Buellton?
By FEMA money that reached Buellton, Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2022): 8 households applied for aid, $300 approved.
Is Buellton at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (66%), and Buellton’s rate for it is in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Buellton.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Buellton’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.