Photo: Alden Jewell · Public domainFEMA puts Fortuna’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 96% of U.S. towns, mostly from earthquakes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Fortuna gets a D− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns, #626 of 847 in California. Most of that expected damage is earthquakes (52%), then river and rain flooding (47%). Flood insurance has paid 2 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 stands out about Fortuna’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Fortuna faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Earthquakes
River and rain flooding
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 Fortuna’s grade
Earthquakes are 52% of the building damage FEMA expects in Fortuna, and Fortuna’s rate of earthquakes damage is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts. River and rain flooding adds 47%, at a rate in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
D− #626 of 847 in California; higher expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Fortuna’s residents live in 4 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, Fortuna has more expected damage per building than 74% of California towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $12.9M a year in losses across Fortuna: $10.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Fortuna flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 1986
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Fortuna, from FEMA’s records: 0.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 93% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Fortuna isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Humboldt County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Fortuna
Disasters that paid out in Fortuna itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Fortuna), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2017Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides$57K to the City of Fortuna for repairs
- 2005Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, and Landslides$88K to the City of Fortuna for repairs
Humboldt County has had 23 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.
Old photos of Fortuna after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Fortuna archive →Get ready for what Fortuna faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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.
- 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 Fortuna
Is Fortuna at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Fortuna has higher expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk, #626 of 847 in California. Most of the expected damage is earthquakes (52%) and river and rain flooding (47%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Fortuna flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Fortuna since 1986, $6K in all, or 0.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 93% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Fortuna 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 Humboldt County, 10% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Fortuna?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Fortuna’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 Fortuna?
By FEMA money that reached Fortuna, Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, and Landslides (2005): $88K to the City of Fortuna for repairs.
Is Fortuna at risk from earthquakes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (52%), and Fortuna’s rate for it is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Fortuna.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Fortuna’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.