Colusa High School and Grounds · Photo: Ammodramus · CC0FEMA puts Colusa’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 64% of U.S. towns, mostly from earthquakes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Colusa gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns, #95 of 847 in California. Most of that expected damage is earthquakes (64%), then river and rain flooding (36%). Flood insurance has paid 11 claims here since 1983.
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 Colusa faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Earthquakes
River and rain flooding
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 Colusa’s grade
Earthquakes are 64% of the building damage FEMA expects in Colusa, and Colusa’s rate of earthquakes damage is in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 36% (lower than 78% of U.S. census tracts).
C+ #95 of 847 in California; higher expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Colusa’s residents live in 2 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, Colusa has less expected damage per building than 89% of California towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $8.8M a year in losses across Colusa: $2.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Colusa flood? Sometimes: 11 flood claims since 1983
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Colusa, from FEMA’s records: 4.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 57% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Pineapple Express - Southern7 claims · $31K
Colusa isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Colusa County.The storms Colusa remembers
None of the 15 disasters declared for Colusa County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching Colusa itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 19987 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Winter Storms and Flooding, declared for Colusa County
- 19831 flood claims paidThe year of Coastal Storms, Floods, Slides and Tornadoes, declared for Colusa County
- 19861 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Storms and Flooding, declared for Colusa County
Colusa County has had 15 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 Colusa after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Colusa archive →Get ready for what Colusa faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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.
- 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 Colusa
Is Colusa at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Colusa has higher expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #95 of 847 in California. Most of the expected damage is earthquakes (64%) and river and rain flooding (36%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Colusa flood?
Flood insurance has paid 11 claims in Colusa since 1983, $101K in all, or 4.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 57% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Pineapple Express - Southern (7).
Is Colusa 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 Colusa County, 72% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 6.9% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Colusa?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Colusa’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 Colusa?
By flood claims, Pineapple Express - Southern: 7 paid, $31K.
Is Colusa at risk from earthquakes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (64%), and Colusa’s rate for it is in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Colusa.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Colusa’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.