Photo: Adam Sofen · CC BY 2.0On FEMA’s figures, Cayucos faces more hazard damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Cayucos gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (48%), then tsunamis (35%). Flood insurance has paid 16 claims here since 1983.
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 Cayucos 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
Tsunamis
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 Cayucos’ grade
River and rain flooding is 48% of the building damage FEMA expects in Cayucos, and Cayucos’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 82% of U.S. census tracts. Tsunamis add 35%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
D higher expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Cayucos’ residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.4M a year in losses across Cayucos: $2.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Cayucos flood? Sometimes: 16 flood claims since 1983
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Cayucos, from FEMA’s records: 6.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 66% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Pineapple Express - Southern5 claims · $109K
- The California Atmospheric River2 claims · $56K
Cayucos 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 Luis Obispo County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Cayucos
Disasters that paid out in Cayucos itself (aid to households or repair grants to Cayucos), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Winter Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides10 households applied for aid$134K aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
- 2022Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides43 households applied for aid$210K aid approved
- 2003Earthquake35 households applied for aid$50K aid approved
San Luis Obispo County has had 23 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 1 FEMA wildfire suppression grant (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in San Luis Obispo County, 2016–2016.
Old photos of Cayucos after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Cayucos archive →Cayucos and its neighbors
Cayucos 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Morro Bay | C−more damage than 83% | river and rain flooding | 29 |
| Cayucos | Dmore damage than 91% | river and rain flooding | 16 |
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 Cayucos 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.
- Strong shaking or a sudden drop in the sea means head for high ground now.
- Learn the tsunami route signs near the shore.
- Stay away until officials say it’s safe.
- 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 Cayucos
Is Cayucos at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Cayucos has higher expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (48%) and tsunamis (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 Cayucos flood?
Flood insurance has paid 16 claims in Cayucos since 1983, $214K in all, or 6.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 66% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Pineapple Express - Southern (5).
Is Cayucos 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 Luis Obispo County, 22% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Cayucos?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Cayucos’ 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 Cayucos?
By FEMA money that reached Cayucos, Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2022): 43 households applied for aid, $210K approved. By flood claims, Pineapple Express - Southern: 5 paid, $109K.
Is Cayucos at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (48%), and Cayucos’ rate for it is higher than 82% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Cayucos.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Cayucos’ 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.