Photo: formulanone · CC BY-SA 2.0On FEMA’s figures, Madera faces more hazard damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Madera gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns, #236 of 847 in California. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (68%), then earthquakes (30%). Flood insurance has paid 8 claims here since 1978.
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 Madera 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 Madera’s grade
River and rain flooding is 68% of the building damage FEMA expects in Madera, and Madera’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 87% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 30% (higher than 87% of U.S. census tracts).
D #236 of 847 in California; higher expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Madera’s residents live in 17 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, Madera has less expected damage per building than 72% of California towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $34.2M a year in losses across Madera: $22.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Madera flood? Rarely: 8 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Madera, 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.
Madera isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Madera County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Madera
Disasters that paid out in Madera itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Madera), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Winter Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides49 households applied for aid$63K aid approved
- 2022Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$631K to the City of Madera for repairs
- 2020Wildfires2 households applied for aid$6K aid approved
Madera County has had 16 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 6 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Madera County, 2005–2020.
Old photos of Madera after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Madera archive →Madera and its neighbors
Madera is 3rd 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Madera Acres | C−more damage than 77% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Parkwood | C−more damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Madera | Dmore damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | 8 |
| Parksdale | Dmore damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | — |
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 Madera 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 Madera
Is Madera at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Madera has higher expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #236 of 847 in California. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (68%) and earthquakes (30%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Madera flood?
Flood insurance has paid 8 claims in Madera since 1978, $88K in all, or 0.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 91% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Madera 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 Madera County, 15% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.0% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Madera?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Madera’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 Madera?
By FEMA money that reached Madera, Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2022): $631K to the City of Madera for repairs.
Is Madera at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (68%), and Madera’s rate for it is higher than 87% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Madera.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Madera’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.