Photo: JacobSA2019 · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Imperial than in 90% of U.S. towns, mostly from earthquakes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Imperial gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns, #344 of 847 in California. Most of that expected damage is earthquakes (64%), then river and rain flooding (36%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 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
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’s grade
Earthquakes are 64% of the building damage FEMA expects in Imperial, and Imperial’s rate of earthquakes damage is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 36% (higher than 65% of U.S. census tracts).
D #344 of 847 in California; higher expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Imperial’s residents live in 3 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 has less expected damage per building than 59% of California towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $15.5M a year in losses across Imperial: $12.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Imperial flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Imperial. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Imperial isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Imperial County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Imperial
Disasters that paid out in Imperial itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Imperial), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Tropical Storm Hilary$37K to the City of Imperial for repairs
- 2010Earthquake$461K to the City of Imperial for repairs
- 2010Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Debris and Mud Flows$13K to the City of Imperial for repairs
Imperial County has had 12 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.
Old photos of Imperial after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Imperial archive →Imperial and its neighbors
Imperial has the lowest expected damage per building of the 2 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Imperial | Dmore damage than 90% | earthquakes | 0 |
| El Centro | Dmore damage than 94% | earthquakes | — |
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 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.
- 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
Is Imperial at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Imperial has higher expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #344 of 847 in California. Most of the expected damage is earthquakes (64%) and river and rain flooding (36%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Imperial 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 Imperial County, 4% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Imperial?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Imperial’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?
By FEMA money that reached Imperial, Earthquake (2010): $461K to the City of Imperial for repairs.
Is Imperial at risk from earthquakes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (64%), and Imperial’s rate for it is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Imperial.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Imperial’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.