Photo: Coolcaesar at en.wikipedia · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Gonzales faces more hazard damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns, mostly from earthquakes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Gonzales gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns, #509 of 847 in California. Most of that expected damage is earthquakes (58%), then river and rain flooding (36%). Flood insurance has paid 9 claims 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 Gonzales 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 Gonzales’ grade
Earthquakes are 58% of the building damage FEMA expects in Gonzales, and Gonzales’ rate of earthquakes damage is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts. Wildfire adds 5%, at a rate in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
D #509 of 847 in California; higher expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Gonzales’ 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, Gonzales has more expected damage per building than 60% of California towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $20.3M a year in losses across Gonzales: $7.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Gonzales flood? Rarely: 9 flood claims since 1995
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Gonzales, from FEMA’s records: 3.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 54% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Pineapple Express - Southern6 claims · $163K
Gonzales isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Monterey County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Gonzales
Disasters that paid out in Gonzales itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Gonzales), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Winter Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides15 households applied for aid$20K aid approved
- 2022Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides24 households applied for aid$7K aid approved$16K to the City of Gonzales for repairs
Monterey County has had 26 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 4 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Monterey County, 2008–2020.
Old photos of Gonzales after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Gonzales archive →Get ready for what Gonzales 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 Gonzales
Is Gonzales at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Gonzales has higher expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #509 of 847 in California. Most of the expected damage is earthquakes (58%) and river and rain flooding (36%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Gonzales flood?
Flood insurance has paid 9 claims in Gonzales since 1995, $188K in all, or 3.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 54% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Pineapple Express - Southern (6).
Is Gonzales 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 Monterey County, 23% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Gonzales?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Gonzales’ 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 Gonzales?
By FEMA money that reached Gonzales, Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2022): 24 households applied for aid, $7K approved, and $16K to the City of Gonzales for repairs. By flood claims, Pineapple Express - Southern: 6 paid, $163K.
Is Gonzales at risk from earthquakes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (58%), and Gonzales’ rate for it is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Gonzales.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Gonzales’ 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.