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D−Hazard risk
Natural hazards in Nice · FEMA

More hazard damage per building is expected in Nice than in 98% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding

On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Nice gets a D− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns, #734 of 847 in California. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (62%), then earthquakes (20%). Flood insurance has paid 28 claims here since 1983.

River and rain flooding 62%Earthquakes 20%Wildfire 17%

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

more than 98%of U.S. townsLess damageMoreExpected yearly damage per dollar of building, vs. the 21,298 U.S. towns we grade#734 of 847 in California
Hazard risk
D−#734 of 847
in California · higher than 98% of U.S. towns
Main hazard
River and rain flooding
62% of expected building damage
Flood claims
28
paid since 1983 · $422K
Disasters paid out here
2
of 22 declared for Lake County

What stands out about Nice’s natural hazards

From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.

Wildfire: the top 1% of U.S. tractsFEMA’s building-damage rate for wildfire here ranks in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts; it is 17.4% of the damage it expects.Remembers 199813 flood claims were paid for 1998 alone, the most of any year.
By hazard

What Nice 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

62%of expected building damage
Well above average · in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts
Recorded about once every 2 years in the area

Earthquakes

20%of expected building damage
Well above average · in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts

Wildfire

17%of expected building damage
Well above average · in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts
Smaller shares here
 Volcanic activity top 0% Tornadoes Hail Strong wind Winter storms Heat waves Landslides Lightning Avalanches top 1%
FEMA models no building damage here
Coastal floodingHurricanesIce stormsCold wavesTsunamis

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.

Flood risk changes street by street. Check a specific address on FEMA’s flood map, and ask about flood insurance before you buy.
Hazard risk grade

What’s behind Nice’s grade

River and rain flooding is 62% of the building damage FEMA expects in Nice, and Nice’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts. Earthquakes add 20%, at a rate in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts.

Where Nice sits
Nice
Least damageMiddleMost damage

D− #734 of 847 in California; higher expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns (21,298).

Nice’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.

What drives the damage to buildings
River and rain flooding62%Earthquakes20%Wildfire17%

The typical California town has higher expected damage than 92% of U.S. towns; within the state, Nice has more expected damage per building than 87% of California towns.

In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.8M a year in losses across Nice: $2.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.

A small-area figure. Nice covers 2 census tracts, combined by where residents live. FEMA’s model is an average year for today’s buildings, not a record: the claims and disasters below are the record.

How TownRatings grades hazard risk →

Flood insurance claims

Does Nice flood? Sometimes: 28 flood claims since 1983

Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Nice, from FEMA’s records: 18.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 83% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.

Paid flood claims, by year
1983: 1 claim1984: 0 claims1985: 0 claims1986: 2 claims1987: 0 claims1988: 0 claims1989: 0 claims1990: 0 claims1991: 0 claims1992: 0 claims1993: 0 claims1994: 0 claims1995: 6 claims1996: 0 claims1997: 1 claim1998: 13 claims1999: 0 claims2000: 0 claims2001: 0 claims2002: 0 claims2003: 0 claims2004: 0 claims2005: 0 claims2006: 0 claims2007: 0 claims2008: 0 claims2009: 0 claims2010: 0 claims2011: 0 claims2012: 0 claims2013: 0 claims2014: 0 claims2015: 0 claims2016: 0 claims2017: 5 claims2018: 0 claims2019: 0 claims2020: 0 claims2021: 0 claims2022: 0 claims2023: 0 claims2024: 0 claims2025: 0 claims2026: 0 claims199519982017
19832026
Biggest named events
  • The Pineapple Express - Southern12 claims · $163K
28
paid claims since 1983
$422K
paid to owners
0
homes flooded more than once
$15K
average claim
of homes in flood zones are insured
of all homes are insured
No community discount

Nice isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.

Insurance rates: Lake County.
Disasters

2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Nice

Disasters that paid out in Nice itself (aid to households or repair grants to Nice), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.

  1. 2020Wildfires12 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
  2. 2005Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, and Landslides11 households applied for aid$7K aid approved
Disasters declared, by decade
Paid out in NiceLake County only

Lake 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 10 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Lake County, 2004–2024.

Were you here?

Old photos of Nice after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.

Add to the Nice archive →
Be ready

Get ready for what Nice faces

A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.

When the river rises
  • 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.
More from Ready.gov ↗
Earthquakes
  • Drop, cover and hold on.
  • Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
  • Know how to shut off the gas.
More from Ready.gov ↗
Wildfire
  • 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.
More from Ready.gov ↗
Before you buy or rent
  • 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.
When a storm is coming
Forecast and alertsWeather →911, the nearest ERSafety →

Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.

Questions about natural hazards in Nice

Is Nice at risk for natural disasters?

On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Nice has higher expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk, #734 of 847 in California. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (62%) and earthquakes (20%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.

Does Nice flood?

Flood insurance has paid 28 claims in Nice since 1983, $422K in all, or 18.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 83% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Pineapple Express - Southern (12).

Is Nice 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 Lake County, 15% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 2.4% of all homes do.

How much is flood insurance in Nice?

FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Nice’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 Nice?

By FEMA money that reached Nice, Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, and Landslides (2005): 11 households applied for aid, $7K approved. By flood claims, Pineapple Express - Southern: 12 paid, $163K.

Is Nice at risk from river and rain flooding?

It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (62%), and Nice’s rate for it is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.

Storm stories

Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Nice.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Nice’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.