FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Loma Linda than almost anywhere in the U.S., mostly from earthquakes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Loma Linda gets a D− for hazard risk: among the highest expected damage per building of U.S. towns, #788 of 847 in California. Most of that expected damage is earthquakes (54%), then river and rain flooding (42%). Flood insurance has paid 7 claims here since 1993.
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 Loma Linda faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Earthquakes
River and rain flooding
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 Loma Linda’s grade
Earthquakes are 54% of the building damage FEMA expects in Loma Linda, and Loma Linda’s rate of earthquakes damage is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts. River and rain flooding adds 42%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
D− #788 of 847 in California; among the highest expected damage per building of U.S. towns (21,298).
Loma Linda’s residents live in 7 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, Loma Linda has more expected damage per building than 93% of California towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $43.7M a year in losses across Loma Linda: $36.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Loma Linda flood? Rarely: 7 flood claims since 1993
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Loma Linda, from FEMA’s records: 0.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 85% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Pineapple Express - Southern1 claim · $1K
Loma Linda 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 Bernardino County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Loma Linda
Disasters that paid out in Loma Linda itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Loma Linda), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Winter Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides6 households applied for aid$300 aid approved
- 2010Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Debris and Mud Flows$687K to the City of Loma Linda for repairs
- 2010Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Debris and Mud Flows$15K to the City of Loma Linda for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms, Flooding, Debris Flows, and Mudslides1 households applied for aid$1K aid approved$16K to the City of Loma Linda for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2003Wildfires, Flooding, Mudflow and Debris Flow Directly Related T9 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
San Bernardino County has had 34 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 24 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in San Bernardino County, 2002–2024.
Old photos of Loma Linda after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Loma Linda archive →Loma Linda and its neighbors
Loma Linda is 4th of the 4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Redlands | D−more damage than 97% | earthquakes | 2 |
| Colton | D−among the highest damage | earthquakes | 8 |
| San Bernardino | D−among the highest damage | earthquakes | 87 |
| Loma Linda | D−among the highest damage | earthquakes | 7 |
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 Loma Linda faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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.
- 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 Loma Linda
Is Loma Linda at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Loma Linda has among the highest expected damage per building of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk, #788 of 847 in California. Most of the expected damage is earthquakes (54%) and river and rain flooding (42%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Loma Linda flood?
Flood insurance has paid 7 claims in Loma Linda since 1993, $37K in all, or 0.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 85% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Pineapple Express - Southern (1).
Is Loma Linda 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 Bernardino County, 15% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Loma Linda?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Loma Linda’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 Loma Linda?
By FEMA money that reached Loma Linda, Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Debris and Mud Flows (2010): $687K to the City of Loma Linda for repairs. By flood claims, Pineapple Express - Southern: 1 paid, $1K.
Is Loma Linda at risk from earthquakes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (54%), and Loma Linda’s rate for it is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Loma Linda.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Loma Linda’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.