Photo: Der-wuppertaler · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in National City than in 81% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, National City gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns, #180 of 847 in California. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (54%), then earthquakes (45%). Flood insurance has paid 42 claims here since 1979.
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 National City 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 National City’s grade
River and rain flooding is 54% of the building damage FEMA expects in National City, and National City’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 70% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 45% (higher than 89% of U.S. census tracts).
C− #180 of 847 in California; higher expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns (21,298).
National City’s residents live in 15 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, National City has less expected damage per building than 79% of California towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $17.4M a year in losses across National City: $14.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does National City flood? Sometimes: 42 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in National City, from FEMA’s records: 2.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 60% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The San Diego Flooding15 claims · $3.2M
- The California Atmospheric River2 claims · $41K
- The Pineapple Express - Southern2 claims · $3K
National 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: San Diego County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to National City
Disasters that paid out in National City itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of National City), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storm and Flooding398 households applied for aid$2.2M aid approved17 flood claims paid that year
- 2022Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$114K to the City of National City for repairs
- 2017Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides$25K to the City of National City for repairs
- 2005Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mud and Debris Flows$30K to the City of National City for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms, Flooding, Debris Flows, and Mudslides3 households applied for aid$9K aid approved
- 2003Wildfires, Flooding, Mudflow and Debris Flow Directly Related T7 households applied for aid$1K aid approved$5K to the City of National City for repairs
San Diego County has had 30 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 18 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in San Diego County, 2002–2018.
Old photos of National City after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the National City archive →National City and its neighbors
National City is 3rd of the 4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chula Vista | Cmore damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 16 |
| San Diego | Cmore damage than 73% | river and rain flooding | 589 |
| National City | C−more damage than 81% | river and rain flooding | 42 |
| Bonita | Dmore damage than 87% | river and rain flooding | 10 |
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 National 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.
- 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 National City
Is National City at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, National City has higher expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #180 of 847 in California. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (54%) and earthquakes (45%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does National City flood?
Flood insurance has paid 42 claims in National City since 1979, $4.1M in all, or 2.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 60% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 8 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from San Diego Flooding (15).
Is National 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 San Diego County, 24% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in National City?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for National 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 National City?
By FEMA money that reached National City, Severe Storm and Flooding (2024): 398 households applied for aid, $2.2M approved. By flood claims, San Diego Flooding: 15 paid, $3.2M.
Is National City at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (54%), and National City’s rate for it is higher than 70% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in National City.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where National 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.