On FEMA’s figures, Mojave faces more hazard damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns, mostly from earthquakes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Mojave gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns, #242 of 847 in California. Most of that expected damage is earthquakes (54%), then river and rain flooding (40%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2005.
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 Mojave 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
Wildfire
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 Mojave’s grade
Earthquakes are 54% of the building damage FEMA expects in Mojave, and Mojave’s rate of earthquakes damage is in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts. Wildfire adds 5%, at a rate in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
D #242 of 847 in California; higher expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Mojave’s residents live in 4 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, Mojave has less expected damage per building than 72% of California towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.9M a year in losses across Mojave: $2.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Mojave flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2005
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Mojave, from FEMA’s records: 0.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 89% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Mojave 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.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Mojave
Disasters that paid out in Mojave itself (aid to households or repair grants to Mojave), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Winter Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides7 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
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 Mojave after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Mojave archive →Get ready for what Mojave 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.
- Clear dead leaves and brush within 5 feet of the house.
- Sign up for local alerts and know two ways out.
- Keep N95 masks for smoky days.
- 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 Mojave
Is Mojave at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Mojave has higher expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #242 of 847 in California. Most of the expected damage is earthquakes (54%) and river and rain flooding (40%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Mojave flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Mojave since 2005, $849 in all, or 0.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 89% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Mojave 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 Mojave?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Mojave’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 Mojave?
By FEMA money that reached Mojave, Severe Winter Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2023): 7 households applied for aid, $3K approved.
Is Mojave at risk from earthquakes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (54%), and Mojave’s rate for it is in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Mojave.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Mojave’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.