On FEMA’s figures, few U.S. towns expect more hazard damage per building than Campo, mostly from wildfire
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Campo gets a D− for hazard risk: among the highest expected damage per building of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is wildfire (92%). 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 Campo faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Wildfire
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 Campo’s grade
Wildfire is 92% of the building damage FEMA expects in Campo, and Campo’s rate of wildfire damage is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 5% (higher than 59% of U.S. census tracts).
D− #846 of 847 in California; among the highest expected damage per building of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Campo’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, Campo has more expected damage per building than 100% of California towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $14.0M a year in losses across Campo: $13.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Campo flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Campo. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Campo 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 Diego County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Campo
Disasters that paid out in Campo itself (aid to households or repair grants to Campo), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storm and Flooding9 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
- 2007Wildfires, Flooding, Mud Flows, and Debris Flows25 households applied for aid$730 aid approved
- 2003Wildfires, Flooding, Mudflow and Debris Flow Directly Related T41 households applied for aid$8K aid approved
San Diego County has had 30 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 18 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in San Diego County, 2002–2018.
Old photos of Campo after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Campo archive →Get ready for what Campo faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- 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.
- 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 Campo
Is Campo at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Campo has among the highest expected damage per building of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is wildfire (92%) and river and rain flooding (5%). 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 Campo 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 Diego County, 24% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Campo?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Campo’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 Campo?
By FEMA money that reached Campo, Wildfires, Flooding, Mudflow and Debris Flow Directly Related T (2003): 41 households applied for aid, $8K approved.
Is Campo at risk from wildfire?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (92%), and Campo’s rate for it is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Campo.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Campo’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.