Photo: Aaron T Harris · CC BY-SA 4.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Clovis than in 70% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Clovis gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns, #112 of 847 in California. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (72%), then earthquakes (25%). Flood insurance has paid 15 claims here since 1995.
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 Clovis 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 Clovis’ grade
River and rain flooding is 72% of the building damage FEMA expects in Clovis, and Clovis’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 74% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 25% (higher than 84% of U.S. census tracts).
C #112 of 847 in California; higher expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Clovis’ 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, Clovis has less expected damage per building than 87% of California towns.
Among the 400 U.S. cities of 100,000 or more, Clovis has higher expected damage per building than 63% (#253 of 400). Because it is so big, its total expected yearly loss, $36.2M, is the 319th largest of those 400.
Does Clovis flood? Sometimes: 15 flood claims since 1995
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Clovis, from FEMA’s records: 0.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 94% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The California Atmospheric River1 claim · $6K
Clovis isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Fresno County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Clovis
Disasters that paid out in Clovis itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Clovis), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2022Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$86K to the City of Clovis for repairs
Fresno County has had 15 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often floods, then severe storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Also 2 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Fresno County, 2016–2020.
Old photos of Clovis after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Clovis archive →Clovis and its neighbors
Clovis is 3rd of the 3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tarpey Village | C+more damage than 58% | earthquakes | — |
| Fresno | Cmore damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | 84 |
| Clovis | Cmore damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 15 |
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 Clovis 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 Clovis
Is Clovis at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Clovis has higher expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #112 of 847 in California. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (72%) and earthquakes (25%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Clovis flood?
Flood insurance has paid 15 claims in Clovis since 1995, $141K in all, or 0.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 94% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from California Atmospheric River (1).
Is Clovis 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 Fresno County, 20% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Clovis?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Clovis’ 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 Clovis?
By FEMA money that reached Clovis, Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2022): $86K to the City of Clovis for repairs. By flood claims, California Atmospheric River: 1 paid, $6K.
Is Clovis at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (72%), and Clovis’ rate for it is higher than 74% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Clovis.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Clovis’ 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.