FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Janesville than in 98% of U.S. towns, mostly from wildfire
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Janesville gets a D− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is wildfire (62%), then river and rain flooding (26%). 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 Janesville 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
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 Janesville’s grade
Wildfire is 62% of the building damage FEMA expects in Janesville, and Janesville’s rate of wildfire damage is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 26% (higher than 78% of U.S. census tracts).
D− higher expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Janesville’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.5M a year in losses across Janesville: $2.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Janesville flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Janesville. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Janesville isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Lassen County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Janesville
Disasters that paid out in Janesville itself (aid to households or repair grants to Janesville), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Wildfires42 households applied for aid$58K aid approved
Lassen County has had 13 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 3 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Lassen County, 2014–2021.
Old photos of Janesville after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Janesville archive →Get ready for what Janesville 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.
- 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 Janesville
Is Janesville at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Janesville has higher expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is wildfire (62%) and river and rain flooding (26%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Janesville 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 Lassen County, 9% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Janesville?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Janesville’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 Janesville?
By FEMA money that reached Janesville, Wildfires (2021): 42 households applied for aid, $58K approved.
Is Janesville at risk from wildfire?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (62%), and Janesville’s rate for it is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Janesville.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Janesville’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.