Photo: Ken Lund from Reno, Nevada, USA · CC BY-SA 2.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Fountain Valley than in 87% of U.S. towns, mostly from earthquakes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Fountain Valley gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns, #258 of 847 in California. Most of that expected damage is earthquakes (52%), then river and rain flooding (48%). Flood insurance has paid 91 claims here since 1979.
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 Fountain Valley’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Fountain Valley 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 Fountain Valley’s grade
Earthquakes are 52% of the building damage FEMA expects in Fountain Valley, and Fountain Valley’s rate of earthquakes damage is in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 48% (higher than 75% of U.S. census tracts).
D #258 of 847 in California; higher expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Fountain Valley’s residents live in 16 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, Fountain Valley has less expected damage per building than 70% of California towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $29.6M a year in losses across Fountain Valley: $23.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Fountain Valley flood? Sometimes: 91 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Fountain Valley, from FEMA’s records: 4.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 59% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Pineapple Express - Southern7 claims · $16K
- The California Atmospheric River1 claim · $13K
Fountain Valley is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 9) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Orange County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Fountain Valley
Disasters that paid out in Fountain Valley itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Fountain Valley), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2010Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Debris and Mud Flows$6K to the City of Fountain Valley for repairs
Orange County has had 27 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 11 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Orange County, 2002–2022.
Old photos of Fountain Valley after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Fountain Valley archive →Fountain Valley and its neighbors
Fountain Valley is 2nd of the 5 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Huntington Beach | Dmore damage than 87% | earthquakes | 490 |
| Fountain Valley | Dmore damage than 87% | earthquakes | 91 |
| Westminster | Dmore damage than 88% | earthquakes | 82 |
| Garden Grove | Dmore damage than 90% | earthquakes | 60 |
| Santa Ana | Dmore damage than 92% | earthquakes | 184 |
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 Fountain Valley 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.
- Fountain Valley residents get 05% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Fountain Valley
Is Fountain Valley at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Fountain Valley has higher expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #258 of 847 in California. Most of the expected damage is earthquakes (52%) and river and rain flooding (48%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Fountain Valley flood?
Flood insurance has paid 91 claims in Fountain Valley since 1979, $229K in all, or 4.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 59% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Pineapple Express - Southern (7).
Is Fountain Valley 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 Orange County, 19% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.0% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Fountain Valley?
Fountain Valley is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 9), which takes 05% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Fountain Valley?
By FEMA money that reached Fountain Valley, Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Debris and Mud Flows (2010): $6K to the City of Fountain Valley for repairs. By flood claims, Pineapple Express - Southern: 7 paid, $16K.
Is Fountain Valley at risk from earthquakes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (52%), and Fountain Valley’s rate for it is in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Fountain Valley.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Fountain Valley’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.