Photo: Djh57 · CC BY 3.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Coronado than in 87% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Coronado gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns, #251 of 847 in California. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (52%), then earthquakes (40%). Flood insurance has paid 31 claims here since 1980.
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 Coronado 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
Tsunamis
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 Coronado’s grade
River and rain flooding is 52% of the building damage FEMA expects in Coronado, and Coronado’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 76% of U.S. census tracts. Earthquakes add 40%, at a rate in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts.
D #251 of 847 in California; higher expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Coronado’s residents live in 8 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, Coronado has less expected damage per building than 70% of California towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $13.0M a year in losses across Coronado: $11.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Coronado flood? Sometimes: 31 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Coronado, from FEMA’s records: 3.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 51% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The San Diego Flooding21 claims · $2.0M
Coronado 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.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Coronado
Disasters that paid out in Coronado itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Coronado), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storm and Flooding84 households applied for aid$622K aid approved21 flood claims paid that year
- 2004Severe Storms, Flooding, Debris Flows, and Mudslides$39K to the City of Coronado for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
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 Coronado after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Coronado archive →Coronado and its neighbors
Coronado is 2nd 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Diego | Cmore damage than 73% | river and rain flooding | 589 |
| Coronado | Dmore damage than 87% | river and rain flooding | 31 |
| Imperial Beach | Dmore damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | 34 |
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 Coronado 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.
- Strong shaking or a sudden drop in the sea means head for high ground now.
- Learn the tsunami route signs near the shore.
- Stay away until officials say it’s safe.
- 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 Coronado
Is Coronado at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Coronado has higher expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #251 of 847 in California. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (52%) and earthquakes (40%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Coronado flood?
Flood insurance has paid 31 claims in Coronado since 1980, $2.1M in all, or 3.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 51% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 5 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from San Diego Flooding (21).
Is Coronado 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 Coronado?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Coronado’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 Coronado?
By FEMA money that reached Coronado, Severe Storm and Flooding (2024): 84 households applied for aid, $622K approved. By flood claims, San Diego Flooding: 21 paid, $2.0M.
Is Coronado at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (52%), and Coronado’s rate for it is higher than 76% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Coronado.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Coronado’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.