Less hazard damage per building is expected in Cutler than in 65% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Cutler gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns, #17 of 847 in California. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (73%), then earthquakes (24%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 Cutler 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 Cutler’s grade
River and rain flooding is 73% of the building damage FEMA expects in Cutler, and Cutler’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 53% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 24% (higher than 81% of U.S. census tracts).
B+ #17 of 847 in California; lower expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Cutler’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, Cutler has less expected damage per building than 98% of California towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.1M a year in losses across Cutler: $542K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Cutler flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Cutler. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Cutler isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Tulare County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Cutler
Disasters that paid out in Cutler itself (aid to households or repair grants to Cutler), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Winter Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides74 households applied for aid$143K aid approved
Tulare 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.
Also 3 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Tulare County, 2016–2020.
Old photos of Cutler after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Cutler archive →Cutler and its neighbors
Cutler 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cutler | B+less damage than 65% | river and rain flooding | 0 |
| Orosi | Bless damage than 56% | river and rain flooding | — |
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 Cutler 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 Cutler
Is Cutler at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Cutler has lower expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #17 of 847 in California. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (73%) and earthquakes (24%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Cutler 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 Tulare County, 20% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 2.9% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Cutler?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Cutler’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 Cutler?
By FEMA money that reached Cutler, Severe Winter Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2023): 74 households applied for aid, $143K approved.
Is Cutler at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (73%), and Cutler’s rate for it is lower than 53% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Cutler.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Cutler’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.