FEMA puts Olivehurst’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 85% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Olivehurst gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns, #221 of 847 in California. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (86%), then earthquakes (13%). Flood insurance has paid 41 claims here since 1986.
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 Olivehurst 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 Olivehurst’s grade
River and rain flooding is 86% of the building damage FEMA expects in Olivehurst, and Olivehurst’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 13% (higher than 82% of U.S. census tracts).
C− #221 of 847 in California; higher expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Olivehurst’s residents live in 4 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, Olivehurst has less expected damage per building than 74% of California towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.8M a year in losses across Olivehurst: $4.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Olivehurst flood? Sometimes: 41 flood claims since 1986
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Olivehurst, from FEMA’s records: 6.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 67% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Pineapple Express - Southern2 claims · $2K
- The February California Atmospheric River1 claim · $14K
Olivehurst isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Yuba County.The storms Olivehurst remembers
None of the 22 disasters declared for Yuba County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching Olivehurst itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 198611 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Storms and Flooding, declared for Yuba County
- 199710 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
- 19957 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Winter Storms, Flooding Landslides, Mud Flow, declared for Yuba County
Yuba 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 3 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Yuba County, 2009–2020.
Old photos of Olivehurst after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Olivehurst archive →Olivehurst and its neighbors
Olivehurst has the lowest expected damage per building of the 2 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Olivehurst | C−more damage than 85% | river and rain flooding | 41 |
| Linda | Dmore damage than 87% | river and rain flooding | 56 |
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 Olivehurst 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 Olivehurst
Is Olivehurst at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Olivehurst has higher expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #221 of 847 in California. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (86%) and earthquakes (13%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Olivehurst flood?
Flood insurance has paid 41 claims in Olivehurst since 1986, $496K in all, or 6.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 67% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Pineapple Express - Southern (2).
Is Olivehurst 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 Yuba County, 28% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 4.9% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Olivehurst?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Olivehurst’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 Olivehurst?
By flood claims, Pineapple Express - Southern: 2 paid, $2K.
Is Olivehurst at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (86%), and Olivehurst’s rate for it is in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Olivehurst.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Olivehurst’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.