Photo: Fruitianslip · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in Fowler as in the typical U.S. town, mostly from earthquakes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Fowler gets a B− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns, #45 of 847 in California. Most of that expected damage is earthquakes (52%), then river and rain flooding (47%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 1995.
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 Fowler 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 Fowler’s grade
Earthquakes are 52% of the building damage FEMA expects in Fowler, and Fowler’s rate of earthquakes damage is higher than 87% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 47% (lower than 72% of U.S. census tracts).
B− #45 of 847 in California; lower expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Fowler’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, Fowler has less expected damage per building than 95% of California towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.6M a year in losses across Fowler: $1.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Fowler flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 1995
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Fowler, from FEMA’s records: 0.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 91% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Fowler isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Fresno County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Fowler
Disasters that paid out in Fowler itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Fowler), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2022Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$3K to the City of Fowler for repairs
Fresno County has had 15 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 2 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Fresno County, 2016–2020.
Old photos of Fowler after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Fowler archive →Get ready for what Fowler 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 Fowler
Is Fowler at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Fowler has lower expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #45 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 Fowler flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Fowler since 1995, $3K in all, or 0.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 91% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Fowler 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 Fresno County, 20% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Fowler?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Fowler’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 Fowler?
By FEMA money that reached Fowler, Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2022): $3K to the City of Fowler for repairs.
Is Fowler at risk from earthquakes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (52%), and Fowler’s rate for it is higher than 87% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Fowler.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Fowler’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.