FEMA puts Eucalyptus Hills’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 96% of U.S. towns, led by wildfire
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Eucalyptus Hills gets a D− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns, #599 of 847 in California. Most of that expected damage is wildfire (47%), then river and rain flooding (46%). Flood insurance has paid 14 claims here since 1978.
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 Eucalyptus Hills faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Wildfire
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 Eucalyptus Hills’ grade
Wildfire is 47% of the building damage FEMA expects in Eucalyptus Hills, and Eucalyptus Hills’ rate of wildfire damage is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 46% (higher than 89% of U.S. census tracts).
D− #599 of 847 in California; higher expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Eucalyptus Hills’ residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical California town has higher expected damage than 92% of U.S. towns; within the state, Eucalyptus Hills has more expected damage per building than 71% of California towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.8M a year in losses across Eucalyptus Hills: $3.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Eucalyptus Hills flood? Sometimes: 14 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Eucalyptus Hills, from FEMA’s records: 7.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 69% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The February California Atmospheric River1 claim · $10K
Eucalyptus Hills 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.The storms Eucalyptus Hills remembers
None of the 30 disasters declared for San Diego County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching Eucalyptus Hills itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 19808 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Storms, Mudslides and Flooding, declared for San Diego County
- 19783 flood claims paidThe year of Coastal Storms, Mudslides and Flooding, declared for San Diego County
- 20102 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Debris and Mud Flows, declared for San Diego County
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 Eucalyptus Hills after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Eucalyptus Hills archive →Eucalyptus Hills and its neighbors
Eucalyptus Hills is 3rd of the 3 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
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 Eucalyptus Hills faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- Clear dead leaves and brush within 5 feet of the house.
- Sign up for local alerts and know two ways out.
- Keep N95 masks for smoky days.
- 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 Eucalyptus Hills
Is Eucalyptus Hills at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Eucalyptus Hills has higher expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk, #599 of 847 in California. Most of the expected damage is wildfire (47%) and river and rain flooding (46%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Eucalyptus Hills flood?
Flood insurance has paid 14 claims in Eucalyptus Hills since 1978, $182K in all, or 7.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 69% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from February California Atmospheric River (1).
Is Eucalyptus Hills 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 Eucalyptus Hills?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Eucalyptus Hills’ 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 Eucalyptus Hills?
By flood claims, February California Atmospheric River: 1 paid, $10K.
Is Eucalyptus Hills at risk from wildfire?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (47%), and Eucalyptus Hills’ rate for it is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Eucalyptus Hills.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Eucalyptus Hills’ 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.