Photo: Gutterboi · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Hesperia than in 90% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hesperia gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns, #334 of 847 in California. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (60%), then earthquakes (37%). Flood insurance has paid 17 claims here since 1991.
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 Hesperia 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 Hesperia’s grade
River and rain flooding is 60% of the building damage FEMA expects in Hesperia, and Hesperia’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 88% of U.S. census tracts. Earthquakes add 37%, at a rate in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts.
D #334 of 847 in California; higher expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Hesperia’s residents live in 22 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, Hesperia has less expected damage per building than 61% of California towns.
Among the 400 U.S. cities of 100,000 or more, Hesperia has higher expected damage per building than 84% (#336 of 400). Because it is so big, its total expected yearly loss, $38.8M, is the 302th largest of those 400.
Does Hesperia flood? Sometimes: 17 flood claims since 1991
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Hesperia, from FEMA’s records: 0.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 88% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The California Atmospheric River1 claim · $180K
- Tropical Storm Hilary1 claim · $194K
Hesperia isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: San Bernardino County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Hesperia
Disasters that paid out in Hesperia itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Hesperia), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Winter Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides65 households applied for aid$60K aid approved$146K to the City of Hesperia for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2010Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Debris and Mud Flows$363K to the City of Hesperia for repairs
- 2010Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Debris and Mud Flows$373K to the City of Hesperia for repairs
- 2005Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mud and Debris Flows$8K to the City of Hesperia for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2004Severe Storms, Flooding, Debris Flows, and Mudslides31 households applied for aid$9K aid approved$129K to the City of Hesperia for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2003Wildfires, Flooding, Mudflow and Debris Flow Directly Related T115 households applied for aid$85K aid approved$10K to the City of Hesperia for repairs
San Bernardino County has had 34 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 24 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in San Bernardino County, 2002–2024.
Old photos of Hesperia after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Hesperia archive →Hesperia and its neighbors
Hesperia is 2nd of the 4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Victorville | C−more damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Hesperia | Dmore damage than 90% | river and rain flooding | 17 |
| Oak Hills | Dmore damage than 94% | earthquakes | — |
| Apple Valley | Dmore damage than 95% | river and rain flooding | 21 |
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 Hesperia 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.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Hesperia
Is Hesperia at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hesperia has higher expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #334 of 847 in California. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (60%) and earthquakes (37%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Hesperia flood?
Flood insurance has paid 17 claims in Hesperia since 1991, $953K in all, or 0.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 88% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from California Atmospheric River (1).
Is Hesperia 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 San Bernardino County, 15% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Hesperia?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Hesperia’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 Hesperia?
By FEMA money that reached Hesperia, Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Debris and Mud Flows (2010): $373K to the City of Hesperia for repairs. By flood claims, California Atmospheric River: 1 paid, $180K.
Is Hesperia at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (60%), and Hesperia’s rate for it is higher than 88% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Hesperia.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Hesperia’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.