Photo: UncleVinny · CC BY 3.0FEMA puts Cameron Park’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 75% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Cameron Park gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns, #141 of 847 in California. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (65%), then wildfire (32%). Flood insurance has paid 23 claims here since 1993.
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 stands out about Cameron Park’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Cameron Park 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
Wildfire
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 Cameron Park’s grade
River and rain flooding is 65% of the building damage FEMA expects in Cameron Park, and Cameron Park’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 76% of U.S. census tracts. Wildfire adds 32%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #141 of 847 in California; higher expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Cameron Park’s residents live in 9 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, Cameron Park has less expected damage per building than 83% of California towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $6.8M a year in losses across Cameron Park: $6.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Cameron Park flood? Sometimes: 23 flood claims since 1993
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Cameron Park, from FEMA’s records: 2.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 53% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The California Atmospheric River2 claims · $270K
Cameron Park isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: El Dorado County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Cameron Park
Disasters that paid out in Cameron Park itself (aid to households or repair grants to Cameron Park), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2005Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, and Landslides7 households applied for aid$12K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
El Dorado County has had 18 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 5 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in El Dorado County, 2004–2022.
Old photos of Cameron Park after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Cameron Park archive →Cameron Park and its neighbors
Cameron Park is 2nd of the 3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| El Dorado Hills | Cmore damage than 67% | river and rain flooding | 10 |
| Cameron Park | C−more damage than 75% | river and rain flooding | 23 |
| Shingle Springs | C−more damage than 84% | wildfire | — |
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 Cameron Park 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.
- Clear dead leaves and brush within 5 feet of the house.
- Sign up for local alerts and know two ways out.
- Keep N95 masks for smoky days.
- 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 Cameron Park
Is Cameron Park at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Cameron Park has higher expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #141 of 847 in California. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (65%) and wildfire (32%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Cameron Park flood?
Flood insurance has paid 23 claims in Cameron Park since 1993, $372K in all, or 2.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 53% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from California Atmospheric River (2).
Is Cameron Park 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 El Dorado County, 24% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Cameron Park?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Cameron Park’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 Cameron Park?
By FEMA money that reached Cameron Park, Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, and Landslides (2005): 7 households applied for aid, $12K approved. By flood claims, California Atmospheric River: 2 paid, $270K.
Is Cameron Park at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (65%), and Cameron Park’s rate for it is higher than 76% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Cameron Park.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Cameron Park’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.