Photo: Kotoviski photographed by Henryk Kotowski · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Imperial Beach than in 88% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Imperial Beach gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns, #286 of 847 in California. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (66%), then earthquakes (31%). Flood insurance has paid 34 claims here since 1983.
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 Imperial Beach 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 Imperial Beach’s grade
River and rain flooding is 66% of the building damage FEMA expects in Imperial Beach, and Imperial Beach’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 89% of U.S. census tracts. Tsunamis add 2%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
D #286 of 847 in California; higher expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Imperial Beach’s residents live in 9 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, Imperial Beach has less expected damage per building than 66% of California towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $7.8M a year in losses across Imperial Beach: $6.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Imperial Beach flood? Sometimes: 34 flood claims since 1983
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Imperial Beach, from FEMA’s records: 3.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 50% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Pineapple Express - Southern4 claims · $34K
Imperial Beach 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 Diego County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Imperial Beach
Disasters that paid out in Imperial Beach itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Imperial Beach), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storm and Flooding20 households applied for aid$11K aid approved
- 2004Severe Storms, Flooding, Debris Flows, and Mudslides3 households applied for aid$9K aid approved
- 2003Wildfires, Flooding, Mudflow and Debris Flow Directly Related T2 households applied for aid$713 aid approved$5K to the City of Imperial Beach for repairs
San Diego County has had 30 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 18 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in San Diego County, 2002–2018.
Old photos of Imperial Beach after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Imperial Beach archive →Imperial Beach and its neighbors
Imperial Beach is 3rd of the 3 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
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 Imperial Beach 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 Imperial Beach
Is Imperial Beach at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Imperial Beach has higher expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #286 of 847 in California. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (66%) and earthquakes (31%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Imperial Beach flood?
Flood insurance has paid 34 claims in Imperial Beach since 1983, $205K in all, or 3.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 50% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 4 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Pineapple Express - Southern (4).
Is Imperial Beach 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 Diego County, 24% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Imperial Beach?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Imperial Beach’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 Imperial Beach?
By FEMA money that reached Imperial Beach, Severe Storm and Flooding (2024): 20 households applied for aid, $11K approved. By flood claims, Pineapple Express - Southern: 4 paid, $34K.
Is Imperial Beach at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (66%), and Imperial Beach’s rate for it is higher than 89% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Imperial Beach.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Imperial Beach’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.