Photo: Port of San Diego · CC BY 2.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Chula Vista than in 70% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Chula Vista gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns, #114 of 847 in California. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (59%), then earthquakes (32%). Flood insurance has paid 16 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 Chula Vista 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
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 Chula Vista’s grade
River and rain flooding is 59% of the building damage FEMA expects in Chula Vista, and Chula Vista’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 65% of U.S. census tracts. Wildfire adds 9%, at a rate in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
C #114 of 847 in California; higher expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Chula Vista’s residents live in 58 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, Chula Vista has less expected damage per building than 87% of California towns.
Among the 400 U.S. cities of 100,000 or more, Chula Vista has higher expected damage per building than 64% (#255 of 400). Because it is so big, its total expected yearly loss, $69.3M, is the 173th largest of those 400.
Does Chula Vista flood? Sometimes: 16 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Chula Vista, from FEMA’s records: 0.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 98% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Chula Vista 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 Diego County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Chula Vista
Disasters that paid out in Chula Vista itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Chula Vista), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storm and Flooding137 households applied for aid$87K aid approved
- 2017Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides$1.3M to the City of Chula Vista for repairs
- 2007Wildfires, Flooding, Mud Flows, and Debris Flows86 households applied for aid$795 aid approved$145K to the City of Chula Vista for repairs
- 2005Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mud and Debris Flows$34K to the City of Chula Vista for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2004Severe Storms, Flooding, Debris Flows, and Mudslides16 households applied for aid$11K aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
- 2003Wildfires, Flooding, Mudflow and Debris Flow Directly Related T23 households applied for aid$153 aid approved$75K to the City of Chula Vista for repairs
San Diego County has had 30 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 18 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in San Diego County, 2002–2018.
Old photos of Chula Vista after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Chula Vista archive →Chula Vista and its neighbors
Chula Vista has the lowest expected damage per building of the 4 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chula Vista | Cmore damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 16 |
| San Diego | Cmore damage than 73% | river and rain flooding | 589 |
| National City | C−more damage than 81% | river and rain flooding | 42 |
| Bonita | Dmore damage than 87% | river and rain flooding | 10 |
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 Chula Vista 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.
- 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.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Chula Vista
Is Chula Vista at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Chula Vista has higher expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #114 of 847 in California. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (59%) and earthquakes (32%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Chula Vista flood?
Flood insurance has paid 16 claims in Chula Vista since 1978, $222K in all, or 0.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 98% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Chula Vista 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 Diego County, 24% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Chula Vista?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Chula Vista’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 Chula Vista?
By FEMA money that reached Chula Vista, Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides (2017): $1.3M to the City of Chula Vista for repairs.
Is Chula Vista at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (59%), and Chula Vista’s rate for it is higher than 65% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Chula Vista.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Chula Vista’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.