Photo: Uzma Gamal · Public domainOn FEMA’s figures, Midway City faces more hazard damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns, mostly from earthquakes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Midway City gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns, #266 of 847 in California. Most of that expected damage is earthquakes (67%), then river and rain flooding (33%). Flood insurance has paid 6 claims here since 1992.
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 Midway City 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 Midway City’s grade
Earthquakes are 67% of the building damage FEMA expects in Midway City, and Midway City’s rate of earthquakes damage is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 33% (higher than 50% of U.S. census tracts).
D #266 of 847 in California; higher expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Midway City’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, Midway City has less expected damage per building than 69% of California towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.2M a year in losses across Midway City: $2.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Midway City flood? Rarely: 6 flood claims since 1992
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Midway City, from FEMA’s records: 2.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 60% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Pineapple Express - Southern1 claim · $2K
Midway City isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Orange County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Midway City
Disasters that paid out in Midway City itself (aid to households or repair grants to Midway City), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2004Severe Storms, Flooding, Debris Flows, and Mudslides2 households applied for aid$313 aid approved
Orange County has had 27 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 11 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Orange County, 2002–2022.
Old photos of Midway City after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Midway City archive →Midway City and its neighbors
Midway City is 2nd of the 3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Huntington Beach | Dmore damage than 87% | earthquakes | 490 |
| Midway City | Dmore damage than 88% | earthquakes | 6 |
| Westminster | Dmore damage than 88% | earthquakes | 82 |
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 Midway City 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 Midway City
Is Midway City at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Midway City has higher expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #266 of 847 in California. Most of the expected damage is earthquakes (67%) and river and rain flooding (33%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Midway City flood?
Flood insurance has paid 6 claims in Midway City since 1992, $18K in all, or 2.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 60% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Pineapple Express - Southern (1).
Is Midway City 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 Orange County, 19% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.0% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Midway City?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Midway City’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 Midway City?
By FEMA money that reached Midway City, Severe Storms, Flooding, Debris Flows, and Mudslides (2004): 2 households applied for aid, $313 approved. By flood claims, Pineapple Express - Southern: 1 paid, $2K.
Is Midway City at risk from earthquakes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (67%), and Midway City’s rate for it is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Midway City.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Midway City’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.