Photo: Mike · CC BY 2.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Crescent City than in 94% of U.S. towns, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Crescent City gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns, #502 of 847 in California. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (38%), then earthquakes (34%). Flood insurance has paid 2 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 Crescent City 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 Crescent City’s grade
River and rain flooding is 38% of the building damage FEMA expects in Crescent City, and Crescent City’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 82% of U.S. census tracts. Earthquakes add 34%, at a rate in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
D #502 of 847 in California; higher expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Crescent City’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, Crescent City has more expected damage per building than 59% of California towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $33.4M a year in losses across Crescent City: $5.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Crescent City flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 1995
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Crescent City, from FEMA’s records: 1.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 78% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Crescent City isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Del Norte County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Crescent City
Disasters that paid out in Crescent City itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Crescent City), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2022Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$12K to the City of Crescent City for repairs
- 2011Tsunami Waves$70K to the City of Crescent City for repairs
- 2005Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, and Landslides95 households applied for aid$109K aid approved
Del Norte County has had 17 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.
Old photos of Crescent City after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Crescent City archive →Crescent City and its neighbors
Crescent City has the lowest expected damage per building of the 2 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crescent City | Dmore damage than 94% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Bertsch-Oceanview | D−more damage than 97% | tsunamis | — |
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 Crescent City 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 Crescent City
Is Crescent City at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Crescent City has higher expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #502 of 847 in California. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (38%) and earthquakes (34%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Crescent City flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Crescent City since 1995, $117K in all, or 1.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 78% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Crescent City 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 Del Norte County, 16% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.8% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Crescent City?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Crescent City’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 Crescent City?
By FEMA money that reached Crescent City, Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, and Landslides (2005): 95 households applied for aid, $109K approved.
Is Crescent City at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (38%), and Crescent City’s rate for it is higher than 82% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Crescent City.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Crescent City’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.