Powerhouse, The · Photo: mountmonty · CC BY-SA 3.0More hazard damage per building is expected in California Polytechnic State University than in 65% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, California Polytechnic State University gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns, #96 of 847 in California State. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (64%), then earthquakes (32%). 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 California Polytechnic State University 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 California Polytechnic State University’s grade
River and rain flooding is 64% of the building damage FEMA expects in California Polytechnic State University, and California Polytechnic State University’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 54% of U.S. census tracts. Wildfire adds 3%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
C #96 of 847 in California State; higher expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns (21,298).
California Polytechnic State University’s residents live in 3 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical California State town has higher expected damage than 92% of U.S. towns; within the state, California Polytechnic State University has less expected damage per building than 89% of California State towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.6M a year in losses across California Polytechnic State University: $1.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does California Polytechnic State University flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in California Polytechnic State University. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
California Polytechnic State University 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 Luis Obispo County.The storms California Polytechnic State University remembers
None of the 23 disasters declared for San Luis Obispo County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching California Polytechnic State University itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
San Luis Obispo County has had 23 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 1 FEMA wildfire suppression grant (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in San Luis Obispo County, 2016–2016.
California Polytechnic State University and its neighbors
California Polytechnic State University has the lowest expected damage per building of the 2 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| California Polytechnic State University | Cmore damage than 65% | river and rain flooding | 0 |
| San Luis Obispo | Dmore damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | 94 |
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 California Polytechnic State University 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 California Polytechnic State University
Is California Polytechnic State University at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, California Polytechnic State University has higher expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #96 of 847 in California State. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (64%) and earthquakes (32%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is California Polytechnic State University 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 Luis Obispo County, 22% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in California Polytechnic State University?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for California Polytechnic State University’s flood program. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
Is California Polytechnic State University at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (64%), and California Polytechnic State University’s rate for it is higher than 54% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in California Polytechnic State University.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where California Polytechnic State University’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.