Photo: Eggsy-B · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA puts Clearlake’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 98% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Clearlake gets a D− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns, #693 of 847 in California. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (61%), then earthquakes (27%). Flood insurance has paid 66 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 Clearlake’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Clearlake 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 Clearlake’s grade
River and rain flooding is 61% of the building damage FEMA expects in Clearlake, and Clearlake’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts. Earthquakes add 27%, at a rate in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
D− #693 of 847 in California; higher expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Clearlake’s residents live in 5 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, Clearlake has more expected damage per building than 82% of California towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $15.7M a year in losses across Clearlake: $11.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Clearlake flood? Sometimes: 66 flood claims since 1986
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Clearlake, from FEMA’s records: 8.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 71% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Pineapple Express - Southern31 claims · $272K
Clearlake isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Lake County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Clearlake
Disasters that paid out in Clearlake itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Clearlake), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Wildfires$101K to the City of Clearlake for repairs
- 2020Wildfires239 households applied for aid$4K aid approved
- 2017Wildfires324 households applied for aid$696K aid approved$77K to the City of Clearlake for repairs10 flood claims paid that year
- 2015Valley Fire and Butte Fire26 households applied for aid$15K aid approved
- 2005Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, and Landslides15 households applied for aid$6K aid approved
Lake County has had 22 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 10 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Lake County, 2004–2024.
Old photos of Clearlake after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Clearlake archive →Clearlake and its neighbors
Clearlake has the lowest expected damage per building of the 1 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clearlake | D−more damage than 98% | river and rain flooding | 66 |
| Lower Lake | — | 635 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 Clearlake 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 Clearlake
Is Clearlake at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Clearlake has higher expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk, #693 of 847 in California. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (61%) and earthquakes (27%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Clearlake flood?
Flood insurance has paid 66 claims in Clearlake since 1986, $785K in all, or 8.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 71% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 12 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Pineapple Express - Southern (31).
Is Clearlake 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 Lake County, 15% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 2.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Clearlake?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Clearlake’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 Clearlake?
By FEMA money that reached Clearlake, Wildfires (2017): 324 households applied for aid, $696K approved, and $77K to the City of Clearlake for repairs. By flood claims, Pineapple Express - Southern: 31 paid, $272K.
Is Clearlake at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (61%), and Clearlake’s rate for it is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Clearlake.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Clearlake’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.