Photo: Etherealsmoke · CC BY-SA 4.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Fresno than in 69% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Fresno gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns, #109 of 847 in California. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (62%), then earthquakes (37%). Flood insurance has paid 84 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 Fresno’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Fresno 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 Fresno’s grade
River and rain flooding is 62% of the building damage FEMA expects in Fresno, and Fresno’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 67% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 37% (higher than 86% of U.S. census tracts).
C #109 of 847 in California; higher expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Fresno’s residents live in 135 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, Fresno has less expected damage per building than 87% of California towns.
Among the 400 U.S. cities of 100,000 or more, Fresno has higher expected damage per building than 62% (#247 of 400). Because it is so big, its total expected yearly loss, $156M, is the 62th largest of those 400.
Does Fresno flood? Sometimes: 84 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Fresno, 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.
Fresno is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 8) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Fresno County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Fresno
Disasters that paid out in Fresno itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Fresno), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Winter Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides1 households applied for aid$195K to the City of Fresno for repairs
- 2022Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$313K to the City of Fresno for repairs
- 2020Wildfires548 households applied for aid$29K aid approved$92K to the City of Fresno 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 Fresno after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Fresno archive →Fresno and its neighbors
Fresno is 4th of the 6 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sunnyside | B−more damage than 53% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Calwa | B−more damage than 55% | earthquakes | — |
| Tarpey Village | C+more damage than 58% | earthquakes | — |
| Fresno | Cmore damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | 84 |
| Clovis | Cmore damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 15 |
| West Park | C−more damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | — |
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 Fresno 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.
- Fresno residents get 10% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Fresno
Is Fresno at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Fresno has higher expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #109 of 847 in California. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (62%) and earthquakes (37%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Fresno flood?
Flood insurance has paid 84 claims in Fresno since 1979, $791K in all, or 0.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 91% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Fresno 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 Fresno?
Fresno is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 8), which takes 10% 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 Fresno?
By FEMA money that reached Fresno, Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2022): $313K to the City of Fresno for repairs.
Is Fresno at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (62%), and Fresno’s rate for it is higher than 67% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Fresno.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Fresno’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.