Photo: Pf1127 · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Delano faces about as much hazard damage per building as the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Delano gets a B− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 50% of U.S. towns, #49 of 847 in California. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (53%), then earthquakes (46%). 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 Delano 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 Delano’s grade
River and rain flooding is 53% of the building damage FEMA expects in Delano, and Delano’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 58% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 46% (higher than 86% of U.S. census tracts).
B− #49 of 847 in California; higher expected damage per building than 50% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Delano’s residents live in 13 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, Delano has less expected damage per building than 94% of California towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $13.5M a year in losses across Delano: $8.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Delano flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Delano. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Delano isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Kern County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Delano
Disasters that paid out in Delano itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Delano), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Winter Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides39 households applied for aid$23K aid approved
- 2010Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Debris and Mud Flows$44K to the City of Delano for repairs
Kern County has had 22 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 15 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Kern County, 2002–2024.
Old photos of Delano after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Delano archive →Get ready for what Delano 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 Delano
Is Delano at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Delano has higher expected damage per building than 50% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #49 of 847 in California. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (53%) and earthquakes (46%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Delano 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 Kern County, 20% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Delano?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Delano’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 Delano?
By FEMA money that reached Delano, Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Debris and Mud Flows (2010): $44K to the City of Delano for repairs.
Is Delano at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (53%), and Delano’s rate for it is lower than 58% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Delano.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Delano’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.