More hazard damage per building is expected in La Presa than in 78% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, La Presa gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns, #158 of 847 in California. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (74%), then earthquakes (23%). Flood insurance has paid 33 claims here since 1979.
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 La Presa 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 La Presa’s grade
River and rain flooding is 74% of the building damage FEMA expects in La Presa, and La Presa’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 82% of U.S. census tracts. Wildfire adds 3%, at a rate in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #158 of 847 in California; higher expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns (21,298).
La Presa’s residents live in 12 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, La Presa has less expected damage per building than 81% of California towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $7.5M a year in losses across La Presa: $6.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does La Presa flood? Sometimes: 33 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in La Presa, from FEMA’s records: 2.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 53% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The San Diego Flooding4 claims · $220K
- The California Atmospheric River1 claim · $24K
- The Pineapple Express - Southern1 claim · $2K
La Presa 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.The storms La Presa remembers
None of the 30 disasters declared for San Diego County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching La Presa itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 19837 flood claims paidThe year of Coastal Storms, Floods, Slides and Tornadoes, declared for San Diego County
- 19934 flood claims paidThe year of Fires, Mud/landslides, Flooding, Soil Erosion, declared for San Diego County
- 20244 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Storm and Flooding, declared for San Diego County
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 La Presa after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the La Presa archive →La Presa and its neighbors
La Presa is 4th of the 5 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lemon Grove | B−more damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Spring Valley | C+more damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | 26 |
| San Diego | Cmore damage than 73% | river and rain flooding | 589 |
| La Presa | C−more damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 33 |
| Bonita | Dmore damage than 87% | river and rain flooding | 10 |
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 La Presa 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 La Presa
Is La Presa at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, La Presa has higher expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #158 of 847 in California. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (74%) and earthquakes (23%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does La Presa flood?
Flood insurance has paid 33 claims in La Presa since 1979, $626K in all, or 2.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 53% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from San Diego Flooding (4).
Is La Presa 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 La Presa?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for La Presa’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 La Presa?
By flood claims, San Diego Flooding: 4 paid, $220K.
Is La Presa at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (74%), and La Presa’s rate for it is higher than 82% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in La Presa.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where La Presa’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.