FEMA puts Citrus Heights’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 61% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Citrus Heights gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns, #26 of 847 in California. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (82%), then earthquakes (17%). Flood insurance has paid 16 claims here since 1986.
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 stands out about Citrus Heights’ natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Citrus Heights 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 Citrus Heights’ grade
River and rain flooding is 82% of the building damage FEMA expects in Citrus Heights, and Citrus Heights’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 60% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 17% (higher than 80% of U.S. census tracts).
B #26 of 847 in California; lower expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Citrus Heights’ residents live in 23 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, Citrus Heights has less expected damage per building than 97% of California towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $16.6M a year in losses across Citrus Heights: $15.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Citrus Heights flood? Sometimes: 16 flood claims since 1986
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Citrus Heights, from FEMA’s records: 0.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 91% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Citrus Heights is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Sacramento County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Citrus Heights
Disasters that paid out in Citrus Heights itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Citrus Heights), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2022Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides152 households applied for aid$103K aid approved$68K to the City of Citrus Heights for repairs
- 2017Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides$20K to the City of Citrus Heights for repairs
- 2005Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, and Landslides10 households applied for aid$14K aid approved
Sacramento County has had 19 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.
Old photos of Citrus Heights after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Citrus Heights archive →Citrus Heights and its neighbors
Citrus Heights is 5th of the 7 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fair Oaks | A−less damage than 83% | river and rain flooding | 36 |
| Foothill Farms | A−less damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
| Antelope | Bless damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Carmichael | Bless damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | 44 |
| Citrus Heights | Bless damage than 61% | river and rain flooding | 16 |
| Orangevale | Bless damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | 34 |
| Roseville | C+more damage than 57% | river and rain flooding | 259 |
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 Citrus Heights 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.
- Citrus Heights residents get 15% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Citrus Heights
Is Citrus Heights at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Citrus Heights has lower expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #26 of 847 in California. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (82%) and earthquakes (17%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Citrus Heights flood?
Flood insurance has paid 16 claims in Citrus Heights since 1986, $373K in all, or 0.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 91% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 10 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Citrus Heights 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 Sacramento County, 81% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 9.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Citrus Heights?
Citrus Heights is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7), which takes 15% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Citrus Heights?
By FEMA money that reached Citrus Heights, Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2022): 152 households applied for aid, $103K approved, and $68K to the City of Citrus Heights for repairs.
Is Citrus Heights at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (82%), and Citrus Heights’ rate for it is higher than 60% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Citrus Heights.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Citrus Heights’ 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.