Photo: Namiwoo · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, El Cajon faces more hazard damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, El Cajon gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns, #168 of 847 in California. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (72%), then earthquakes (26%). Flood insurance has paid 26 claims here since 1980.
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 El Cajon 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 El Cajon’s grade
River and rain flooding is 72% of the building damage FEMA expects in El Cajon, and El Cajon’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 83% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 26% (higher than 84% of U.S. census tracts).
C− #168 of 847 in California; higher expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns (21,298).
El Cajon’s residents live in 31 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, El Cajon has less expected damage per building than 80% of California towns.
Among the 400 U.S. cities of 100,000 or more, El Cajon has higher expected damage per building than 72% (#287 of 400). Because it is so big, its total expected yearly loss, $32.7M, is the 341th largest of those 400.
Does El Cajon flood? Sometimes: 26 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in El Cajon, from FEMA’s records: 0.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 84% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Pineapple Express - Southern1 claim · $43K
El Cajon isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: San Diego County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to El Cajon
Disasters that paid out in El Cajon itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of El Cajon), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storm and Flooding412 households applied for aid$1.2M aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2020Wildfires55 households applied for aid$5K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2010Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Debris and Mud Flows$124K to the City of El Cajon for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2007Wildfires, Flooding, Mud Flows, and Debris Flows103 households applied for aid$2K aid approved$15K to the City of El Cajon for repairs
- 2005Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mud and Debris Flows$193K to the City of El Cajon for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2004Severe Storms, Flooding, Debris Flows, and Mudslides53 households applied for aid$28K aid approved4 flood claims paid that year
Show all 7
- 2003Wildfires, Flooding, Mudflow and Debris Flow Directly Related T1,337 households applied for aid$4.1M aid approved$37K to the City of El Cajon for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
San Diego County has had 30 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 18 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in San Diego County, 2002–2018.
Old photos of El Cajon after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the El Cajon archive →El Cajon and its neighbors
El Cajon is 5th of the 9 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| La Mesa | B−less damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 25 |
| Casa de Oro-Mount Helix | B−more damage than 50% | river and rain flooding | 12 |
| San Diego | Cmore damage than 73% | river and rain flooding | 589 |
| Rancho San Diego | C−more damage than 77% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| El Cajon | C−more damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 26 |
| Bostonia | C−more damage than 81% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Granite Hills | C−more damage than 85% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Winter Gardens | Dmore damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | 20 |
| Santee | Dmore damage than 91% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
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 El Cajon 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 El Cajon
Is El Cajon at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, El Cajon has higher expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #168 of 847 in California. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (72%) and earthquakes (26%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does El Cajon flood?
Flood insurance has paid 26 claims in El Cajon since 1980, $451K in all, or 0.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 84% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Pineapple Express - Southern (1).
Is El Cajon 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 San Diego County, 24% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in El Cajon?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for El Cajon’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 El Cajon?
By FEMA money that reached El Cajon, Wildfires, Flooding, Mudflow and Debris Flow Directly Related T (2003): 1,337 households applied for aid, $4.1M approved, and $37K to the City of El Cajon for repairs. By flood claims, Pineapple Express - Southern: 1 paid, $43K.
Is El Cajon at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (72%), and El Cajon’s rate for it is higher than 83% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in El Cajon.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where El Cajon’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.