Photo: Guywelch2000 · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Oakhurst than almost anywhere in the U.S., led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Oakhurst gets a D− for hazard risk: among the highest expected damage per building of U.S. towns, #762 of 847 in California. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (49%), then wildfire (48%). Flood insurance has paid 11 claims here since 1982.
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 Oakhurst 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
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 Oakhurst’s grade
River and rain flooding is 49% of the building damage FEMA expects in Oakhurst, and Oakhurst’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts. Wildfire adds 48%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
D− #762 of 847 in California; among the highest expected damage per building of U.S. towns (21,298).
Oakhurst’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, Oakhurst has more expected damage per building than 90% of California towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $10.7M a year in losses across Oakhurst: $10.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Oakhurst flood? Sometimes: 11 flood claims since 1982
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Oakhurst, from FEMA’s records: 3.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 52% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The California Atmospheric River1 claim · $22K
Oakhurst 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.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Oakhurst
Disasters that paid out in Oakhurst itself (aid to households or repair grants to Oakhurst), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Winter Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides212 households applied for aid$978K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
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 Oakhurst after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Oakhurst archive →Oakhurst and its neighbors
Oakhurst has the lowest expected damage per building of the 1 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oakhurst | D−among the highest damage | river and rain flooding | 11 |
| Bass Lake | — | 499 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 Oakhurst 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.
- 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.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Oakhurst
Is Oakhurst at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Oakhurst has among the highest expected damage per building of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk, #762 of 847 in California. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (49%) and wildfire (48%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Oakhurst flood?
Flood insurance has paid 11 claims in Oakhurst since 1982, $160K in all, or 3.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 52% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from California Atmospheric River (1).
Is Oakhurst 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 Oakhurst?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Oakhurst’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 Oakhurst?
By FEMA money that reached Oakhurst, Severe Winter Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2023): 212 households applied for aid, $978K approved. By flood claims, California Atmospheric River: 1 paid, $22K.
Is Oakhurst at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (49%), and Oakhurst’s rate for it is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Oakhurst.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Oakhurst’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.