Photo: Armaced at English Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 3.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Manteca than in 82% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Manteca gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns, #188 of 847 in California. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (63%), then earthquakes (37%). Flood insurance has paid 6 claims here since 1997.
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 Manteca 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 Manteca’s grade
River and rain flooding is 63% of the building damage FEMA expects in Manteca, and Manteca’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 78% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 37% (higher than 88% of U.S. census tracts).
C− #188 of 847 in California; higher expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Manteca’s residents live in 21 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, Manteca has less expected damage per building than 78% of California towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $37.4M a year in losses across Manteca: $29.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Manteca flood? Rarely: 6 flood claims since 1997
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Manteca, from FEMA’s records: 0.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 97% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Manteca 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 Joaquin County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Manteca
Disasters that paid out in Manteca itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Manteca), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2022Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides80 households applied for aid$60K aid approved
- 2017Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides$21K to the City of Manteca for repairs
- 2006Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$2K to the City of Manteca for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
San Joaquin County has had 22 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often floods, then severe storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Manteca after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Manteca archive →Manteca and its neighbors
Manteca is 2nd of the 2 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lathrop | B−more damage than 53% | earthquakes | 1 |
| Manteca | C−more damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
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 Manteca 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 Manteca
Is Manteca at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Manteca has higher expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #188 of 847 in California. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (63%) and earthquakes (37%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Manteca flood?
Flood insurance has paid 6 claims in Manteca since 1997, $439K in all, or 0.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 97% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Manteca 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 Joaquin County, 25% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.8% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Manteca?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Manteca’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 Manteca?
By FEMA money that reached Manteca, Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2022): 80 households applied for aid, $60K approved.
Is Manteca at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (63%), and Manteca’s rate for it is higher than 78% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Manteca.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Manteca’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.