Less hazard damage per building is expected in Foothill Farms than in 82% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Foothill Farms gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns, #6 of 847 in California. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (75%), then earthquakes (24%). Flood insurance has paid 9 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 Foothill Farms 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 Foothill Farms’ grade
River and rain flooding is 75% of the building damage FEMA expects in Foothill Farms, and Foothill Farms’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 66% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 24% (higher than 80% of U.S. census tracts).
A− #6 of 847 in California; lower expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Foothill Farms’ 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, Foothill Farms has less expected damage per building than 99% of California towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.0M a year in losses across Foothill Farms: $3.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Foothill Farms flood? Rarely: 9 flood claims since 1986
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Foothill Farms, from FEMA’s records: 0.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 85% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Pineapple Express - Southern1 claim · $1K
- The California Atmospheric River1 claim · $979
Foothill Farms isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Sacramento County.The storms Foothill Farms remembers
None of the 19 disasters declared for Sacramento County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching Foothill Farms itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 19862 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Storms and Flooding, declared for Sacramento County
- 19951 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Winter Storms, Flooding Landslides, Mud Flow, declared for Sacramento County
- 19981 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Winter Storms and Flooding, declared for Sacramento County
Sacramento County has had 19 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 Foothill Farms after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Foothill Farms archive →Foothill Farms and its neighbors
Foothill Farms has the lowest expected damage per building of the 5 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Foothill Farms | A−less damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
| North Highlands | B+less damage than 73% | river and rain flooding | 41 |
| Antelope | Bless damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Carmichael | Bless damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | 44 |
| Citrus Heights | Bless damage than 61% | river and rain flooding | 16 |
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 Foothill Farms 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 Foothill Farms
Is Foothill Farms at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Foothill Farms has lower expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #6 of 847 in California. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (75%) and earthquakes (24%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Foothill Farms flood?
Flood insurance has paid 9 claims in Foothill Farms since 1986, $148K in all, or 0.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 85% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Pineapple Express - Southern (1).
Is Foothill Farms 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 Sacramento County, 81% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 9.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Foothill Farms?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Foothill Farms’ 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 Foothill Farms?
By flood claims, Pineapple Express - Southern: 1 paid, $1K.
Is Foothill Farms at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (75%), and Foothill Farms’ rate for it is lower than 66% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Foothill Farms.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Foothill Farms’ 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.