Less hazard damage per building is expected in La Riviera than in 84% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, La Riviera gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns, #4 of 847 in California. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (69%), then earthquakes (30%). Flood insurance has paid 12 claims here since 1992.
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 Riviera 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 Riviera’s grade
River and rain flooding is 69% of the building damage FEMA expects in La Riviera, and La Riviera’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 73% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 30% (higher than 81% of U.S. census tracts).
A− #4 of 847 in California; lower expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns (21,298).
La Riviera’s residents live in 4 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 Riviera has less expected damage per building than 100% of California towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.5M a year in losses across La Riviera: $1.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does La Riviera flood? Sometimes: 12 flood claims since 1992
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in La Riviera, from FEMA’s records: 2.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 56% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The California Atmospheric River1 claim · $2K
La Riviera isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Sacramento County.The storms La Riviera remembers
None of the 19 disasters declared for Sacramento County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching La Riviera itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 19957 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Winter Storms, Flooding Landslides, Mud Flow, declared for Sacramento County
- 19921 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
- 19931 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
Sacramento County has had 19 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.
Old photos of La Riviera after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the La Riviera archive →La Riviera and its neighbors
La Riviera has the lowest expected damage per building of the 6 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| La Riviera | A−less damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | 12 |
| Rosemont | A−less damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 20 |
| Rancho Cordova | B+less damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Sacramento | B+less damage than 67% | river and rain flooding | 1,013 |
| Carmichael | Bless damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | 44 |
| Arden-Arcade | C+more damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 181 |
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 Riviera 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 Riviera
Is La Riviera at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, La Riviera has lower expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #4 of 847 in California. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (69%) and earthquakes (30%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does La Riviera flood?
Flood insurance has paid 12 claims in La Riviera since 1992, $11K in all, or 2.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 56% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from California Atmospheric River (1).
Is La Riviera 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 Sacramento County, 81% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 9.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in La Riviera?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for La Riviera’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 Riviera?
By flood claims, California Atmospheric River: 1 paid, $2K.
Is La Riviera at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (69%), and La Riviera’s rate for it is lower than 73% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in La Riviera.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where La Riviera’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.