Photo: No machine-readable author provided. Houstontech assumed (based on copyright claims). · Public domainMore hazard damage per building is expected in El Paso de Robles (Paso Robles) than in 89% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, El Paso de Robles (Paso Robles) gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns, #306 of 847 in California. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (56%), then earthquakes (40%). Flood insurance has paid 7 claims here since 1995.
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 Paso de Robles (Paso Robles) 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 Paso de Robles (Paso Robles)’s grade
River and rain flooding is 56% of the building damage FEMA expects in El Paso de Robles (Paso Robles), and El Paso de Robles (Paso Robles)’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 87% of U.S. census tracts. Wildfire adds 3%, at a rate in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
D #306 of 847 in California; higher expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns (21,298).
El Paso de Robles (Paso Robles)’s residents live in 9 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 Paso de Robles (Paso Robles) has less expected damage per building than 64% of California towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $19.9M a year in losses across El Paso de Robles (Paso Robles): $16.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does El Paso de Robles (Paso Robles) flood? Rarely: 7 flood claims since 1995
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in El Paso de Robles (Paso Robles), from FEMA’s records: 0.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 88% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The California Atmospheric River3 claims · $410K
El Paso de Robles (Paso Robles) 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 Luis Obispo County.The storms El Paso de Robles (Paso Robles) remembers
None of the 23 disasters declared for San Luis Obispo County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching El Paso de Robles (Paso Robles) itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 20233 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides, declared for San Luis Obispo County
- 19952 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Winter Storms, Flooding Landslides, Mud Flow, declared for San Luis Obispo County
- 20151 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
San Luis Obispo County has had 23 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 1 FEMA wildfire suppression grant (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in San Luis Obispo County, 2016–2016.
Old photos of El Paso de Robles (Paso Robles) after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the El Paso de Robles (Paso Robles) archive →El Paso de Robles (Paso Robles) and its neighbors
El Paso de Robles (Paso Robles) is 2nd of the 2 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Templeton | Dmore damage than 89% | river and rain flooding | — |
| El Paso de Robles (Paso Robles) | Dmore damage than 89% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
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 Paso de Robles (Paso Robles) 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 Paso de Robles (Paso Robles)
Is El Paso de Robles (Paso Robles) at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, El Paso de Robles (Paso Robles) has higher expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #306 of 847 in California. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (56%) and earthquakes (40%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does El Paso de Robles (Paso Robles) flood?
Flood insurance has paid 7 claims in El Paso de Robles (Paso Robles) since 1995, $464K in all, or 0.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 88% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from California Atmospheric River (3).
Is El Paso de Robles (Paso Robles) 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 Luis Obispo County, 22% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in El Paso de Robles (Paso Robles)?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for El Paso de Robles (Paso Robles)’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 Paso de Robles (Paso Robles)?
By flood claims, California Atmospheric River: 3 paid, $410K.
Is El Paso de Robles (Paso Robles) at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (56%), and El Paso de Robles (Paso Robles)’s rate for it is higher than 87% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in El Paso de Robles (Paso Robles).
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where El Paso de Robles (Paso Robles)’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.