On FEMA’s figures, Lemon Grove faces about as much hazard damage per building as the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lemon Grove gets a B− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 55% of U.S. towns, #65 of 847 in California. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (61%), then earthquakes (39%). Flood insurance has paid 4 claims here since 2014.
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 Lemon Grove 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 Lemon Grove’s grade
River and rain flooding is 61% of the building damage FEMA expects in Lemon Grove, and Lemon Grove’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 51% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 39% (higher than 85% of U.S. census tracts).
B− #65 of 847 in California; higher expected damage per building than 55% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Lemon Grove’s residents live in 9 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, Lemon Grove has less expected damage per building than 92% of California towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.2M a year in losses across Lemon Grove: $4.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Lemon Grove flood? Rarely: 4 flood claims since 2014
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Lemon Grove, from FEMA’s records: 0.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 91% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The San Diego Flooding1 claim · $58K
Lemon Grove 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 Lemon Grove
Disasters that paid out in Lemon Grove itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Lemon Grove), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storm and Flooding273 households applied for aid$1.3M aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2020Wildfires12 households applied for aid$5K aid approved
- 2010Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Debris and Mud Flows$6K to the City of Lemon Grove for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms, Flooding, Debris Flows, and Mudslides7 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
- 2003Wildfires, Flooding, Mudflow and Debris Flow Directly Related T12 households applied for aid$2K 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 Lemon Grove after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Lemon Grove archive →Lemon Grove and its neighbors
Lemon Grove is 2nd 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| La Mesa | B−less damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 25 |
| 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 |
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 Lemon Grove 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 Lemon Grove
Is Lemon Grove at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lemon Grove has higher expected damage per building than 55% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #65 of 847 in California. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (61%) and earthquakes (39%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Lemon Grove flood?
Flood insurance has paid 4 claims in Lemon Grove since 2014, $158K in all, or 0.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 91% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from San Diego Flooding (1).
Is Lemon Grove 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 Lemon Grove?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Lemon Grove’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 Lemon Grove?
By FEMA money that reached Lemon Grove, Severe Storm and Flooding (2024): 273 households applied for aid, $1.3M approved. By flood claims, San Diego Flooding: 1 paid, $58K.
Is Lemon Grove at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (61%), and Lemon Grove’s rate for it is higher than 51% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Lemon Grove.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Lemon Grove’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.