Bidwell Mansion · Photo: Frank Schulenburg · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Chico faces more hazard damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Chico gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns, #123 of 847 in California. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (58%), then earthquakes (38%). Flood insurance has paid 14 claims here since 1998.
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 Chico 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 Chico’s grade
River and rain flooding is 58% of the building damage FEMA expects in Chico, and Chico’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 66% of U.S. census tracts. Wildfire adds 4%, at a rate in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
C #123 of 847 in California; higher expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Chico’s residents live in 25 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, Chico has less expected damage per building than 86% of California towns.
Among the 400 U.S. cities of 100,000 or more, Chico has higher expected damage per building than 65% (#261 of 400). Because it is so big, its total expected yearly loss, $41.5M, is the 285th largest of those 400.
Does Chico flood? Sometimes: 14 flood claims since 1998
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Chico, from FEMA’s records: 0.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 95% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Pineapple Express - Southern1 claim · $2K
Chico isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Butte County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Chico
Disasters that paid out in Chico itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Chico), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Winter Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides74 households applied for aid$77K aid approved
- 2020Wildfires362 households applied for aid$13K aid approved
- 2018Wildfires631 households applied for aid$1.4M aid approved$107K to the City of Chico for repairs
- 2017Wildfires218 households applied for aid$4K aid approved
- 2017Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides$2K to the City of Chico for repairs
- 1999Ca-wildfires-08/25/1999$11K to the City of Chico for repairs
Butte County has had 24 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 11 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Butte County, 2004–2024.
Old photos of Chico after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Chico archive →Chico and its neighbors
Chico 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Durham | C+more damage than 63% | earthquakes | 1 |
| Chico | Cmore damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | 14 |
| Butte Creek Canyon | — | 713 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 Chico 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 Chico
Is Chico at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Chico has higher expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #123 of 847 in California. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (58%) and earthquakes (38%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Chico flood?
Flood insurance has paid 14 claims in Chico since 1998, $607K in all, or 0.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 95% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Pineapple Express - Southern (1).
Is Chico 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 Butte County, 22% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.9% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Chico?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Chico’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 Chico?
By FEMA money that reached Chico, Wildfires (2018): 631 households applied for aid, $1.4M approved, and $107K to the City of Chico for repairs. By flood claims, Pineapple Express - Southern: 1 paid, $2K.
Is Chico at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (58%), and Chico’s rate for it is higher than 66% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Chico.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Chico’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.