Photo: Marianita2407 · CC BY-SA 4.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Calexico than in 92% of U.S. towns, mostly from earthquakes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Calexico gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns, #423 of 847 in California. Most of that expected damage is earthquakes (67%), then river and rain flooding (33%). 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 Calexico 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 Calexico’s grade
Earthquakes are 67% of the building damage FEMA expects in Calexico, and Calexico’s rate of earthquakes damage is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 33% (higher than 68% of U.S. census tracts).
D #423 of 847 in California; higher expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Calexico’s residents live in 10 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, Calexico has less expected damage per building than 50% of California towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $24.1M a year in losses across Calexico: $19.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Calexico flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Calexico. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Calexico isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Imperial County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Calexico
Disasters that paid out in Calexico itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Calexico), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Tropical Storm Hilary$44K to the City of Calexico for repairs
- 2010Earthquake$5.2M to the City of Calexico for repairs
Imperial County has had 12 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.
Old photos of Calexico after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Calexico archive →Get ready for what Calexico 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 Calexico
Is Calexico at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Calexico has higher expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #423 of 847 in California. Most of the expected damage is earthquakes (67%) and river and rain flooding (33%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Calexico 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 Imperial County, 4% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Calexico?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Calexico’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 Calexico?
By FEMA money that reached Calexico, Earthquake (2010): $5.2M to the City of Calexico for repairs.
Is Calexico at risk from earthquakes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (67%), and Calexico’s rate for it is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Calexico.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Calexico’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.