More hazard damage per building is expected in Jamul than in 98% of U.S. towns, mostly from wildfire
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Jamul gets a D− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns, #726 of 847 in California. Most of that expected damage is wildfire (67%), then river and rain flooding (29%). 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 Jamul faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Wildfire
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 Jamul’s grade
Wildfire is 67% of the building damage FEMA expects in Jamul, and Jamul’s rate of wildfire damage is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 29% (higher than 83% of U.S. census tracts).
D− #726 of 847 in California; higher expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Jamul’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, Jamul has more expected damage per building than 86% of California towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $7.9M a year in losses across Jamul: $7.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Jamul flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Jamul. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Jamul 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.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Jamul
Disasters that paid out in Jamul itself (aid to households or repair grants to Jamul), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storm and Flooding28 households applied for aid$59K aid approved
- 2020Wildfires31 households applied for aid$39K aid approved
- 2007Wildfires, Flooding, Mud Flows, and Debris Flows656 households applied for aid$792K aid approved
- 2004Severe Storms, Flooding, Debris Flows, and Mudslides5 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
- 2003Wildfires, Flooding, Mudflow and Debris Flow Directly Related T55 households applied for aid$64K aid approved
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 Jamul after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Jamul archive →Jamul and its neighbors
Jamul is 2nd of the 2 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rancho San Diego | C−more damage than 77% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Jamul | D−more damage than 98% | wildfire | 0 |
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 Jamul faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- 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.
- 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 Jamul
Is Jamul at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Jamul has higher expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk, #726 of 847 in California. Most of the expected damage is wildfire (67%) and river and rain flooding (29%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Jamul 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 Jamul?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Jamul’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 Jamul?
By FEMA money that reached Jamul, Wildfires, Flooding, Mud Flows, and Debris Flows (2007): 656 households applied for aid, $792K approved.
Is Jamul at risk from wildfire?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (67%), and Jamul’s rate for it is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Jamul.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Jamul’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.