Photo: Don Ramey Logan · CC BY-SA 4.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Newport Beach than in 84% of U.S. towns, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Newport Beach gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns, #211 of 847 in California. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (43%), then earthquakes (43%). Flood insurance has paid 167 claims here since 1978.
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 Newport Beach’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Newport Beach 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
Coastal 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 Newport Beach’s grade
River and rain flooding is 43% of the building damage FEMA expects in Newport Beach, and Newport Beach’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 59% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 12%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #211 of 847 in California; higher expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Newport Beach’s residents live in 23 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, Newport Beach has less expected damage per building than 75% of California towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $60.8M a year in losses across Newport Beach: $54.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Newport Beach flood? Yes: 167 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Newport Beach, from FEMA’s records: 3.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 53% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Pineapple Express - Southern32 claims · $358K
- The Winter storm2 claims · $6K
- The California Atmospheric River1 claim · $72K
Newport Beach is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 6) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Orange County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Newport Beach
Disasters that paid out in Newport Beach itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Newport Beach), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2017Wildfires68 households applied for aid$500 aid approved
- 2017Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides$132K to the City of Newport Beach for repairs
- 2010Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Debris and Mud Flows$182K to the City of Newport Beach for repairs5 flood claims paid that year
- 2005Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mud and Debris Flows$16K to the City of Newport Beach for repairs11 flood claims paid that year
- 2004Severe Storms, Flooding, Debris Flows, and Mudslides6 households applied for aid$6K aid approved$189K to the City of Newport Beach for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
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 Newport Beach after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Newport Beach archive →Newport Beach and its neighbors
Newport Beach has the lowest expected damage per building of the 3 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Newport Beach | C−more damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | 167 |
| Costa Mesa | Dmore damage than 90% | river and rain flooding | 67 |
| Irvine | Dmore damage than 92% | river and rain flooding | 29 |
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 Newport Beach 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.
- Know your evacuation zone and the way off the coast.
- Storm surge comes fast: leave when you’re told, not when the water arrives.
- Move cars to high ground before king tides and nor’easters.
- 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.
- Newport Beach residents get 20% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Newport Beach
Is Newport Beach at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Newport Beach has higher expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #211 of 847 in California. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (43%) and earthquakes (43%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Newport Beach flood?
Flood insurance has paid 167 claims in Newport Beach since 1978, $1.9M in all, or 3.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 53% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 8 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Pineapple Express - Southern (32).
Is Newport Beach 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 Newport Beach?
Newport Beach is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 6), which takes 20% 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 Newport Beach?
By FEMA money that reached Newport Beach, Severe Storms, Flooding, Debris Flows, and Mudslides (2004): 6 households applied for aid, $6K approved, and $189K to the City of Newport Beach for repairs. By flood claims, Pineapple Express - Southern: 32 paid, $358K.
Is Newport Beach at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (43%), and Newport Beach’s rate for it is higher than 59% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Newport Beach.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Newport Beach’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.