Photo: Thomas Camargo · CC BY 3.0On FEMA’s figures, few U.S. towns expect more hazard damage per building than Carpinteria, led by earthquakes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Carpinteria gets a D− for hazard risk: among the highest expected damage per building of U.S. towns, #775 of 847 in California. Most of that expected damage is earthquakes (50%), then river and rain flooding (37%). Flood insurance has paid 30 claims here since 1978.
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 Carpinteria’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Carpinteria 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
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 Carpinteria’s grade
Earthquakes are 50% of the building damage FEMA expects in Carpinteria, and Carpinteria’s rate of earthquakes damage is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts. River and rain flooding adds 37%, at a rate in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
D− #775 of 847 in California; among the highest expected damage per building of U.S. towns (21,298).
Carpinteria’s residents live in 4 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, Carpinteria has more expected damage per building than 91% of California towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $23.2M a year in losses across Carpinteria: $18.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Carpinteria flood? Sometimes: 30 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Carpinteria, from FEMA’s records: 5.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 60% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Pineapple Express - Southern4 claims · $65K
- The California Atmospheric River2 claims · $74K
- The Mid-Winter California Flooding2 claims · $165K
Carpinteria is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 9) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Santa Barbara County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Carpinteria
Disasters that paid out in Carpinteria itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Carpinteria), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2022Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides38 households applied for aid$50K aid approved$67K to the City of Carpinteria for repairs
- 2017Wildfires, Flooding, Mudflows, and Debris Flows180 households applied for aid$122K aid approved$234K to the City of Carpinteria for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2004Severe Storms, Flooding, Debris Flows, and Mudslides15 households applied for aid$16K aid approved$43K to the City of Carpinteria for repairs
Santa Barbara 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 8 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Santa Barbara County, 2004–2021.
Old photos of Carpinteria after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Carpinteria archive →Carpinteria and its neighbors
Carpinteria 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carpinteria | D−among the highest damage | earthquakes | 30 |
| Toro Canyon | D−among the highest damage | 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 Carpinteria 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.
- 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.
- Carpinteria residents get 05% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Carpinteria
Is Carpinteria at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Carpinteria has among the highest expected damage per building of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk, #775 of 847 in California. Most of the expected damage is earthquakes (50%) and river and rain flooding (37%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Carpinteria flood?
Flood insurance has paid 30 claims in Carpinteria since 1978, $533K in all, or 5.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 60% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Pineapple Express - Southern (4).
Is Carpinteria 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 Santa Barbara County, 27% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.9% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Carpinteria?
Carpinteria is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 9), which takes 05% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Carpinteria?
By FEMA money that reached Carpinteria, Wildfires, Flooding, Mudflows, and Debris Flows (2017): 180 households applied for aid, $122K approved, and $234K to the City of Carpinteria for repairs. By flood claims, Pineapple Express - Southern: 4 paid, $65K.
Is Carpinteria at risk from earthquakes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (50%), and Carpinteria’s rate for it is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Carpinteria.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Carpinteria’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.