More hazard damage per building is expected in Moreno Valley than in 96% of U.S. towns, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Moreno Valley gets a D− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns, #612 of 847 in California. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (46%), then earthquakes (34%). Flood insurance has paid 9 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 stands out about Moreno Valley’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Moreno Valley 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
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 Moreno Valley’s grade
River and rain flooding is 46% of the building damage FEMA expects in Moreno Valley, and Moreno Valley’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts. Earthquakes add 34%, at a rate in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
D− #612 of 847 in California; higher expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Moreno Valley’s residents live in 46 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, Moreno Valley has more expected damage per building than 72% of California towns.
Among the 400 U.S. cities of 100,000 or more, Moreno Valley has higher expected damage per building than 93% (#371 of 400). Because it is so big, its total expected yearly loss, $139M, is the 69th largest of those 400.
Does Moreno Valley flood? Rarely: 9 flood claims since 1992
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Moreno Valley, from FEMA’s records: 0.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 98% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Moreno Valley is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 8) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Riverside County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Moreno Valley
Disasters that paid out in Moreno Valley itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Moreno Valley), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2017Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides$35K to the City of Moreno Valley for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2010Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Debris and Mud Flows$26K to the City of Moreno Valley for repairs
- 2010Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Debris and Mud Flows$49K to the City of Moreno Valley for repairs
- 2005Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mud and Debris Flows$12K to the City of Moreno Valley for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms, Flooding, Debris Flows, and Mudslides98 households applied for aid$43K aid approved$17K to the City of Moreno Valley for repairs
- 2003Wildfires, Flooding, Mudflow and Debris Flow Directly Related T205 households applied for aid$52K aid approved
Riverside County has had 33 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 30 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Riverside County, 2003–2026.
Old photos of Moreno Valley after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Moreno Valley archive →Moreno Valley and its neighbors
Moreno Valley is 2nd of the 4 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
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 Moreno Valley 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.
- 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.
- Moreno Valley residents get 10% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Moreno Valley
Is Moreno Valley at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Moreno Valley has higher expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk, #612 of 847 in California. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (46%) and earthquakes (34%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Moreno Valley flood?
Flood insurance has paid 9 claims in Moreno Valley since 1992, $103K in all, or 0.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 98% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Moreno Valley 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 Riverside County, 16% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Moreno Valley?
Moreno Valley is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 8), which takes 10% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Moreno Valley?
By FEMA money that reached Moreno Valley, Severe Storms, Flooding, Debris Flows, and Mudslides (2004): 98 households applied for aid, $43K approved, and $17K to the City of Moreno Valley for repairs.
Is Moreno Valley at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (46%), and Moreno Valley’s rate for it is in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Moreno Valley.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Moreno Valley’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.