Photo: Jey0h · CC BY 3.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Frazier Park than almost anywhere in the U.S., led by earthquakes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Frazier Park gets a D− for hazard risk: among the highest expected damage per building of U.S. towns, #824 of 847 in California. Most of that expected damage is earthquakes (38%), then river and rain flooding (36%). Flood insurance has paid 7 claims here since 1998.
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 Frazier Park 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
Wildfire
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 Frazier Park’s grade
Earthquakes are 38% of the building damage FEMA expects in Frazier Park, and Frazier Park’s rate of earthquakes damage is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts. River and rain flooding adds 36%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
D− #824 of 847 in California; among the highest expected damage per building of U.S. towns (21,298).
Frazier Park’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, Frazier Park has more expected damage per building than 97% of California towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.5M a year in losses across Frazier Park: $2.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Frazier Park flood? Rarely: 7 flood claims since 1998
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Frazier Park, from FEMA’s records: 5.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 63% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Pineapple Express - Southern1 claim · $12K
- Tropical Storm Hilary1 claim · $27K
Frazier Park isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Kern County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Frazier Park
Disasters that paid out in Frazier Park itself (aid to households or repair grants to Frazier Park), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Winter Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides12 households applied for aid$88K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2004Severe Storms, Flooding, Debris Flows, and Mudslides3 households applied for aid$314 aid approved
Kern County has had 22 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 15 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Kern County, 2002–2024.
Old photos of Frazier Park after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Frazier Park archive →Frazier Park and its neighbors
Frazier Park has the lowest expected damage per building of the 1 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Frazier Park | D−among the highest damage | earthquakes | 7 |
| Lebec | — | 797 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Lake of the Woods | — | 796 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 Frazier Park 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.
- Clear dead leaves and brush within 5 feet of the house.
- Sign up for local alerts and know two ways out.
- Keep N95 masks for smoky days.
- 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 Frazier Park
Is Frazier Park at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Frazier Park has among the highest expected damage per building of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk, #824 of 847 in California. Most of the expected damage is earthquakes (38%) and river and rain flooding (36%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Frazier Park flood?
Flood insurance has paid 7 claims in Frazier Park since 1998, $211K in all, or 5.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 63% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Pineapple Express - Southern (1).
Is Frazier Park 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 Kern County, 20% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Frazier Park?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Frazier Park’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 Frazier Park?
By FEMA money that reached Frazier Park, Severe Winter Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2023): 12 households applied for aid, $88K approved. By flood claims, Pineapple Express - Southern: 1 paid, $12K.
Is Frazier Park at risk from earthquakes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (38%), and Frazier Park’s rate for it is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Frazier Park.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Frazier Park’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.