More hazard damage per building is expected in Murrieta than in 91% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Murrieta gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns, #352 of 847 in California. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (55%), then earthquakes (24%). Flood insurance has paid 8 claims here since 1993.
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 Murrieta’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Murrieta 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 Murrieta’s grade
River and rain flooding is 55% of the building damage FEMA expects in Murrieta, and Murrieta’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 87% of U.S. census tracts. Wildfire adds 20%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
D #352 of 847 in California; higher expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Murrieta’s residents live in 24 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, Murrieta has less expected damage per building than 59% of California towns.
Among the 400 U.S. cities of 100,000 or more, Murrieta has higher expected damage per building than 84% (#337 of 400). Because it is so big, its total expected yearly loss, $66.1M, is the 187th largest of those 400.
Does Murrieta flood? Rarely: 8 flood claims since 1993
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Murrieta, 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.
- The Winter storm1 claim · $9K
Murrieta is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 9) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Riverside County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Murrieta
Disasters that paid out in Murrieta itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Murrieta), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2019Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$36K to the City of Murrieta for repairs
- 2007Wildfires, Flooding, Mud Flows, and Debris Flows14 households applied for aid$61 aid approved$87K to the City of Murrieta for repairs
- 2003Wildfires, Flooding, Mudflow and Debris Flow Directly Related T3 households applied for aid$2K 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 Murrieta after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Murrieta archive →Murrieta and its neighbors
Murrieta has the lowest expected damage per building of the 5 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Murrieta | Dmore damage than 91% | river and rain flooding | 8 |
| Temecula | Dmore damage than 94% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| French Valley | Dmore damage than 94% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Menifee | D−more damage than 98% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Wildomar | D−among the highest damage | river and rain flooding | 1 |
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 Murrieta 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.
- Murrieta residents get 05% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Murrieta
Is Murrieta at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Murrieta has higher expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #352 of 847 in California. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (55%) and earthquakes (24%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Murrieta flood?
Flood insurance has paid 8 claims in Murrieta since 1993, $50K in all, or 0.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 97% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Winter storm (1).
Is Murrieta 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 Murrieta?
Murrieta is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 9), which takes 05% 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 Murrieta?
By FEMA money that reached Murrieta, Wildfires, Flooding, Mud Flows, and Debris Flows (2007): 14 households applied for aid, $61 approved, and $87K to the City of Murrieta for repairs. By flood claims, Winter storm: 1 paid, $9K.
Is Murrieta at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (55%), and Murrieta’s rate for it is higher than 87% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Murrieta.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Murrieta’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.