Photo: Dana Payne · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Castroville faces more hazard damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns, mostly from earthquakes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Castroville gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns, #516 of 847 in California. Most of that expected damage is earthquakes (64%), then river and rain flooding (35%). Flood insurance has paid 4 claims here since 1995.
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 Castroville 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
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 Castroville’s grade
Earthquakes are 64% of the building damage FEMA expects in Castroville, and Castroville’s rate of earthquakes damage is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 35% (higher than 76% of U.S. census tracts).
D #516 of 847 in California; higher expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Castroville’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, Castroville has more expected damage per building than 61% of California towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.4M a year in losses across Castroville: $2.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Castroville flood? Rarely: 4 flood claims since 1995
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Castroville, from FEMA’s records: 2.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 57% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Pineapple Express - Southern3 claims · $16K
Castroville isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Monterey County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Castroville
Disasters that paid out in Castroville itself (aid to households or repair grants to Castroville), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Winter Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides69 households applied for aid$276K aid approved
- 2022Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides31 households applied for aid$49K aid approved
Monterey County has had 26 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 4 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Monterey County, 2008–2020.
Old photos of Castroville after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Castroville archive →Get ready for what Castroville 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.
- 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 Castroville
Is Castroville at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Castroville has higher expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #516 of 847 in California. Most of the expected damage is earthquakes (64%) and river and rain flooding (35%). 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.
Does Castroville flood?
Flood insurance has paid 4 claims in Castroville since 1995, $48K in all, or 2.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 57% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Pineapple Express - Southern (3).
Is Castroville 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 Monterey County, 23% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Castroville?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Castroville’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 Castroville?
By FEMA money that reached Castroville, Severe Winter Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2023): 69 households applied for aid, $276K approved. By flood claims, Pineapple Express - Southern: 3 paid, $16K.
Is Castroville at risk from earthquakes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (64%), and Castroville’s rate for it is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Castroville.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Castroville’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.