Photo: Omar Bárcena · CC BY 2.0FEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in Kingsburg as in the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Kingsburg gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns, #83 of 847 in California. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (66%), then earthquakes (33%). 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 Kingsburg 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 Kingsburg’s grade
River and rain flooding is 66% of the building damage FEMA expects in Kingsburg, and Kingsburg’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 63% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 33% (higher than 84% of U.S. census tracts).
C+ #83 of 847 in California; higher expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Kingsburg’s residents live in 5 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, Kingsburg has less expected damage per building than 90% of California towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.5M a year in losses across Kingsburg: $2.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Kingsburg flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Kingsburg. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Kingsburg isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Fresno County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Kingsburg
Disasters that paid out in Kingsburg itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Kingsburg), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Winter Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides4 households applied for aid$32K to the City of Kingsburg for repairs
Fresno County has had 15 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often floods, then severe storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Also 2 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Fresno County, 2016–2020.
Old photos of Kingsburg after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Kingsburg archive →Kingsburg and its neighbors
Kingsburg 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Selma | B−less damage than 54% | earthquakes | — |
| Kingsburg | C+more damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | 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 Kingsburg 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.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Kingsburg
Is Kingsburg at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Kingsburg has higher expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #83 of 847 in California. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (66%) and earthquakes (33%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Kingsburg 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 Fresno County, 20% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Kingsburg?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Kingsburg’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 Kingsburg?
By FEMA money that reached Kingsburg, Severe Winter Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2023): 4 households applied for aid, $0 approved, and $32K to the City of Kingsburg for repairs.
Is Kingsburg at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (66%), and Kingsburg’s rate for it is higher than 63% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Kingsburg.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Kingsburg’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.