Photo: Dorothea Lange · Public domainOn FEMA’s figures, McFarland 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, McFarland gets a B− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns, #44 of 847 in California. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (61%), then earthquakes (38%). Flood insurance has paid 23 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 McFarland 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 McFarland’s grade
River and rain flooding is 61% of the building damage FEMA expects in McFarland, and McFarland’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 54% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 38% (higher than 85% of U.S. census tracts).
B− #44 of 847 in California; lower expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns (21,298).
McFarland’s residents live in 3 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, McFarland has less expected damage per building than 95% of California towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.3M a year in losses across McFarland: $1.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does McFarland flood? Sometimes: 23 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in McFarland, from FEMA’s records: 6.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 65% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Pineapple Express - Southern22 claims · $147K
McFarland isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Kern County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to McFarland
Disasters that paid out in McFarland itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of McFarland), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Winter Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$36K to the City of McFarland for repairs
- 2010Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Debris and Mud Flows$93K to the City of McFarland for repairs
Kern County has had 22 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 15 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Kern County, 2002–2024.
Old photos of McFarland after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the McFarland archive →Get ready for what McFarland 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 McFarland
Is McFarland at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, McFarland has lower expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #44 of 847 in California. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (61%) and earthquakes (38%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does McFarland flood?
Flood insurance has paid 23 claims in McFarland since 1978, $150K in all, or 6.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 65% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Pineapple Express - Southern (22).
Is McFarland 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 Kern County, 20% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in McFarland?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for McFarland’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 McFarland?
By FEMA money that reached McFarland, Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Debris and Mud Flows (2010): $93K to the City of McFarland for repairs. By flood claims, Pineapple Express - Southern: 22 paid, $147K.
Is McFarland at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (61%), and McFarland’s rate for it is lower than 54% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in McFarland.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where McFarland’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.