Photo: Fettlemap · CC BY-SA 3.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Camarillo than in 95% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Camarillo gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns, #533 of 847 in California. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (54%), then earthquakes (42%). Flood insurance has paid 14 claims here since 1992.
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 Camarillo 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 Camarillo’s grade
River and rain flooding is 54% of the building damage FEMA expects in Camarillo, and Camarillo’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts. Earthquakes add 42%, at a rate in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
D #533 of 847 in California; higher expected damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Camarillo’s residents live in 17 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, Camarillo has more expected damage per building than 63% of California towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $66.6M a year in losses across Camarillo: $56.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Camarillo flood? Sometimes: 14 flood claims since 1992
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Camarillo, from FEMA’s records: 0.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 89% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Pineapple Express - Southern5 claims · $523K
Camarillo isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Ventura County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Camarillo
Disasters that paid out in Camarillo itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Camarillo), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2022Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides35 households applied for aid$26K aid approved
- 2004Severe Storms, Flooding, Debris Flows, and Mudslides31 households applied for aid$20K aid approved$10K to the City of Camarillo for repairs
Ventura 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 17 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Ventura County, 2003–2026.
Old photos of Camarillo after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Camarillo archive →Camarillo and its neighbors
Camarillo 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thousand Oaks | Dmore damage than 94% | river and rain flooding | 40 |
| Camarillo | Dmore damage than 95% | river and rain flooding | 14 |
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 Camarillo 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 Camarillo
Is Camarillo at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Camarillo has higher expected damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #533 of 847 in California. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (54%) and earthquakes (42%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Camarillo flood?
Flood insurance has paid 14 claims in Camarillo since 1992, $1.1M in all, or 0.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 89% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Pineapple Express - Southern (5).
Is Camarillo 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 Ventura County, 31% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Camarillo?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Camarillo’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 Camarillo?
By FEMA money that reached Camarillo, Severe Storms, Flooding, Debris Flows, and Mudslides (2004): 31 households applied for aid, $20K approved, and $10K to the City of Camarillo for repairs. By flood claims, Pineapple Express - Southern: 5 paid, $523K.
Is Camarillo at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (54%), and Camarillo’s rate for it is in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Camarillo.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Camarillo’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.