Photo: formulanone · CC BY-SA 2.0FEMA puts Dos Palos’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 89% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Dos Palos gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns, #302 of 847 in California. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (61%), then earthquakes (39%). 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 Dos Palos 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 Dos Palos’ grade
River and rain flooding is 61% of the building damage FEMA expects in Dos Palos, and Dos Palos’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 87% of U.S. census tracts. Earthquakes add 39%, at a rate in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
D #302 of 847 in California; higher expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Dos Palos’ 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, Dos Palos has less expected damage per building than 64% of California towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.8M a year in losses across Dos Palos: $2.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Dos Palos flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Dos Palos. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Dos Palos isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Merced County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Dos Palos
Disasters that paid out in Dos Palos itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Dos Palos), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2022Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides14 households applied for aid$5K aid approved
Merced County has had 16 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.
Old photos of Dos Palos after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Dos Palos archive →Get ready for what Dos Palos 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 Dos Palos
Is Dos Palos at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Dos Palos has higher expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #302 of 847 in California. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (61%) and earthquakes (39%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Dos Palos 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 Merced County, 24% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 5.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Dos Palos?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Dos Palos’ 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 Dos Palos?
By FEMA money that reached Dos Palos, Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2022): 14 households applied for aid, $5K approved.
Is Dos Palos at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (61%), and Dos Palos’ rate for it is higher than 87% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Dos Palos.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Dos Palos’ 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.