Photo: Slof · Public domainFEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Ione than in 90% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Ione 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 (75%), then wildfire (22%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 1997.
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 Ione 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
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 Ione’s grade
River and rain flooding is 75% of the building damage FEMA expects in Ione, and Ione’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts. Wildfire adds 22%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
D #334 of 847 in California; higher expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Ione’s 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, Ione has less expected damage per building than 61% of California towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $6.7M a year in losses across Ione: $3.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Ione flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 1997
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Ione, from FEMA’s records: 0.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 92% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Ione isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Amador County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Ione
Disasters that paid out in Ione itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Ione), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2022Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides27 households applied for aid$63K aid approved$35K to the City of Ione for repairs
- 2017Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides$8K to the City of Ione for repairs
- 2017Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides$8K to the City of Ione for repairs
Amador County has had 17 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 1 FEMA wildfire suppression grant (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Amador County, 2015–2015.
Old photos of Ione after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Ione archive →Get ready for what Ione 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.
- 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 Ione
Is Ione at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Ione 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 (75%) and wildfire (22%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Ione flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Ione since 1997, $2K in all, or 0.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 92% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Ione 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 Amador County, 25% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Ione?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Ione’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 Ione?
By FEMA money that reached Ione, Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2022): 27 households applied for aid, $63K approved, and $35K to the City of Ione for repairs.
Is Ione at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (75%), and Ione’s rate for it is in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Ione.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Ione’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.