Photo: Azusa Tarn · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Irvine than in 92% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Irvine gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns, #413 of 847 in California. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (66%), then earthquakes (30%). Flood insurance has paid 29 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 stands out about Irvine’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Irvine 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 Irvine’s grade
River and rain flooding is 66% of the building damage FEMA expects in Irvine, and Irvine’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts. Wildfire adds 4%, at a rate in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
D #413 of 847 in California; higher expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Irvine’s residents live in 51 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, Irvine has less expected damage per building than 51% of California towns.
Among the 400 U.S. cities of 100,000 or more, Irvine has higher expected damage per building than 87% (#347 of 400). Because it is so big, its total expected yearly loss, $207M, is the 40th largest of those 400.
Does Irvine flood? Sometimes: 29 flood claims since 1983
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Irvine, from FEMA’s records: 0.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 96% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Pineapple Express - Southern15 claims · $38K
Irvine is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 9) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Orange County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Irvine
Disasters that paid out in Irvine itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Irvine), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2020Wildfires1 households applied for aid$4K aid approved
- 2017Wildfires162 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
- 2017Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides$199K to the City of Irvine for repairs
- 2010Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Debris and Mud Flows$68K to the City of Irvine for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2007Wildfires, Flooding, Mud Flows, and Debris Flows17 households applied for aid$25K to the City of Irvine for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms, Flooding, Debris Flows, and Mudslides22 households applied for aid$1K aid approved$216K to the City of Irvine for repairs
Orange County has had 27 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 11 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Orange County, 2002–2022.
Old photos of Irvine after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Irvine archive →Irvine and its neighbors
Irvine is 8th of the 8 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Newport Beach | C−more damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | 167 |
| Laguna Hills | Dmore damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Laguna Woods | Dmore damage than 87% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Lake Forest | Dmore damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| Costa Mesa | Dmore damage than 90% | river and rain flooding | 67 |
| Santa Ana | Dmore damage than 92% | earthquakes | 184 |
| Tustin | Dmore damage than 92% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Irvine | Dmore damage than 92% | river and rain flooding | 29 |
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 Irvine 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.
- Irvine residents get 05% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Irvine
Is Irvine at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Irvine has higher expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #413 of 847 in California. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (66%) and earthquakes (30%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Irvine flood?
Flood insurance has paid 29 claims in Irvine since 1983, $168K in all, or 0.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 96% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Pineapple Express - Southern (15).
Is Irvine 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 Orange County, 19% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.0% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Irvine?
Irvine is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 9), which takes 05% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Irvine?
By FEMA money that reached Irvine, Severe Storms, Flooding, Debris Flows, and Mudslides (2004): 22 households applied for aid, $1K approved, and $216K to the City of Irvine for repairs. By flood claims, Pineapple Express - Southern: 15 paid, $38K.
Is Irvine at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (66%), and Irvine’s rate for it is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Irvine.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Irvine’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.