Photo: Don Ramey Logan · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Dana Point faces more hazard damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Dana Point gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns, #290 of 847 in California. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (76%), then earthquakes (23%). Flood insurance has paid 26 claims here since 1988.
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 Dana Point 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 Dana Point’s grade
River and rain flooding is 76% of the building damage FEMA expects in Dana Point, and Dana Point’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 23% (higher than 86% of U.S. census tracts).
D #290 of 847 in California; higher expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Dana Point’s residents live in 11 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, Dana Point has less expected damage per building than 66% of California towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $19.5M a year in losses across Dana Point: $18.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Dana Point flood? Sometimes: 26 flood claims since 1988
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Dana Point, from FEMA’s records: 1.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 68% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Pineapple Express - Southern6 claims · $31K
- The California Atmospheric River1 claim · $3K
- The December California Flooding1 claim · $64K
Dana Point isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Orange County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Dana Point
Disasters that paid out in Dana Point itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Dana Point), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2017Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides$55K to the City of Dana Point for repairs
- 2010Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Debris and Mud Flows$114K to the City of Dana Point for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2004Severe Storms, Flooding, Debris Flows, and Mudslides10 households applied for aid$30K aid approved$175K to the City of Dana Point for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Orange County has had 27 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 11 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Orange County, 2002–2022.
Old photos of Dana Point after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Dana Point archive →Dana Point and its neighbors
Dana Point is 4th of the 5 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Laguna Niguel | Cmore damage than 73% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| San Clemente | Cmore damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 57 |
| Laguna Beach | C−more damage than 77% | earthquakes | 249 |
| Dana Point | Dmore damage than 89% | river and rain flooding | 26 |
| San Juan Capistrano | D−more damage than 98% | river and rain flooding | 17 |
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 Dana Point 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 Dana Point
Is Dana Point at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Dana Point has higher expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #290 of 847 in California. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (76%) and earthquakes (23%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Dana Point flood?
Flood insurance has paid 26 claims in Dana Point since 1988, $576K in all, or 1.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 68% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Pineapple Express - Southern (6).
Is Dana Point 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 Orange County, 19% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.0% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Dana Point?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Dana Point’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 Dana Point?
By FEMA money that reached Dana Point, Severe Storms, Flooding, Debris Flows, and Mudslides (2004): 10 households applied for aid, $30K approved, and $175K to the City of Dana Point for repairs. By flood claims, Pineapple Express - Southern: 6 paid, $31K.
Is Dana Point at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (76%), and Dana Point’s rate for it is in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Dana Point.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Dana Point’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.