Photo: Ryanx7 · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA puts Ceres’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 64% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Ceres gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns, #94 of 847 in California. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (58%), then earthquakes (42%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2017.
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 Ceres 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
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 Ceres’ grade
River and rain flooding is 58% of the building damage FEMA expects in Ceres, and Ceres’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 59% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 42% (higher than 86% of U.S. census tracts).
C+ #94 of 847 in California; higher expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Ceres’ residents live in 14 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, Ceres has less expected damage per building than 89% of California towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $12.3M a year in losses across Ceres: $9.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Ceres flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2017
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Ceres, from FEMA’s records: 0.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 100% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Ceres isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Stanislaus County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Ceres
Disasters that paid out in Ceres itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Ceres), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2022Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$31K to the City of Ceres for repairs
Stanislaus County has had 16 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 Stanislaus County, 2020–2020.
Old photos of Ceres after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Ceres archive →Ceres and its neighbors
Ceres 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ceres | C+more damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Bystrom | Dmore damage than 91% | river and rain flooding | — |
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 Ceres 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.
- 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 Ceres
Is Ceres at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Ceres has higher expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #94 of 847 in California. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (58%) and earthquakes (42%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Ceres flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Ceres since 2017, $12K in all, or 0.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 100% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Ceres 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 Stanislaus County, 23% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Ceres?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Ceres’ 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 Ceres?
By FEMA money that reached Ceres, Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2022): $31K to the City of Ceres for repairs.
Is Ceres at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (58%), and Ceres’ rate for it is higher than 59% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Ceres.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Ceres’ 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.