Photo: Bobak Ha'Eri · CC BY 3.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in Exeter than in 62% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Exeter gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns, #21 of 847 in California. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (74%), then earthquakes (25%). Flood insurance has paid 3 claims here since 1986.
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 Exeter 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 Exeter’s grade
River and rain flooding is 74% of the building damage FEMA expects in Exeter, and Exeter’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 51% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 25% (higher than 82% of U.S. census tracts).
B #21 of 847 in California; lower expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Exeter’s 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, Exeter has less expected damage per building than 98% of California towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.8M a year in losses across Exeter: $2.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Exeter flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 1986
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Exeter, from FEMA’s records: 0.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 81% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Exeter isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Tulare County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Exeter
Disasters that paid out in Exeter itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Exeter), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Winter Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides143 households applied for aid$627K aid approved
Tulare County has had 17 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often floods, then severe storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Also 3 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Tulare County, 2016–2020.
Old photos of Exeter after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Exeter archive →Get ready for what Exeter 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 Exeter
Is Exeter at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Exeter has lower expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #21 of 847 in California. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (74%) and earthquakes (25%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Exeter flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in Exeter since 1986, $23K in all, or 0.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 81% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Exeter 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 Tulare County, 20% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 2.9% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Exeter?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Exeter’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 Exeter?
By FEMA money that reached Exeter, Severe Winter Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2023): 143 households applied for aid, $627K approved.
Is Exeter at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (74%), and Exeter’s rate for it is higher than 51% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Exeter.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Exeter’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.