FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in North Fork than in 96% of U.S. towns, led by wildfire
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, North Fork gets a D− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns, #605 of 847 in California. Most of that expected damage is wildfire (48%), then river and rain flooding (46%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 North Fork faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Wildfire
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 North Fork’s grade
Wildfire is 48% of the building damage FEMA expects in North Fork, and North Fork’s rate of wildfire damage is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 46% (higher than 90% of U.S. census tracts).
D− #605 of 847 in California; higher expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns (21,298).
North Fork’s residents live in 2 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, North Fork has more expected damage per building than 71% of California towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.4M a year in losses across North Fork: $4.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does North Fork flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in North Fork. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
North Fork isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Madera County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to North Fork
Disasters that paid out in North Fork itself (aid to households or repair grants to North Fork), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Winter Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides161 households applied for aid$732K aid approved
- 2020Wildfires41 households applied for aid$40K aid approved
Madera County has had 16 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 6 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Madera County, 2005–2020.
Old photos of North Fork after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the North Fork archive →Get ready for what North Fork faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- 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.
- 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 North Fork
Is North Fork at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, North Fork has higher expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk, #605 of 847 in California. Most of the expected damage is wildfire (48%) and river and rain flooding (46%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is North Fork 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 Madera County, 15% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.0% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in North Fork?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for North Fork’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 North Fork?
By FEMA money that reached North Fork, Severe Winter Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2023): 161 households applied for aid, $732K approved.
Is North Fork at risk from wildfire?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (48%), and North Fork’s rate for it is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in North Fork.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where North Fork’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.