Photo: Jon Zich, [email protected] · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Orange faces more hazard damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns, mostly from earthquakes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Orange gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns, #387 of 847 in California. Most of that expected damage is earthquakes (53%), then river and rain flooding (46%). Flood insurance has paid 14 claims here since 1992.
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 Orange faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Earthquakes
River and rain 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 Orange’s grade
Earthquakes are 53% of the building damage FEMA expects in Orange, and Orange’s rate of earthquakes damage is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 46% (higher than 85% of U.S. census tracts).
D #387 of 847 in California; higher expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Orange’s residents live in 36 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, Orange has less expected damage per building than 54% of California towns.
Among the 400 U.S. cities of 100,000 or more, Orange has higher expected damage per building than 85% (#341 of 400). Because it is so big, its total expected yearly loss, $101M, is the 115th largest of those 400.
Does Orange flood? Sometimes: 14 flood claims since 1992
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Orange, from FEMA’s records: 0.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 95% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Pineapple Express - Southern2 claims · $2K
Orange is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 9) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Orange County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Orange
Disasters that paid out in Orange itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Orange), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2017Wildfires169 households applied for aid$1K aid approved$396K to the City of Orange for repairs
- 2007Wildfires, Flooding, Mud Flows, and Debris Flows3 households applied for aid$18K to the City of Orange for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms, Flooding, Debris Flows, and Mudslides8 households applied for aid$7K aid approved2 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 Orange after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Orange archive →Orange and its neighbors
Orange is 4th of the 6 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Tustin | Dmore damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | 27 |
| Anaheim | Dmore damage than 90% | earthquakes | 21 |
| Garden Grove | Dmore damage than 90% | earthquakes | 60 |
| Orange | Dmore damage than 92% | earthquakes | 14 |
| Santa Ana | Dmore damage than 92% | earthquakes | 184 |
| Tustin | Dmore damage than 92% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
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 Orange faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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.
- 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.
- Orange residents get 05% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Orange
Is Orange at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Orange has higher expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #387 of 847 in California. Most of the expected damage is earthquakes (53%) and river and rain flooding (46%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Orange flood?
Flood insurance has paid 14 claims in Orange since 1992, $181K in all, or 0.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 95% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Pineapple Express - Southern (2).
Is Orange 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 Orange?
Orange is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 9), which takes 05% 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 Orange?
By FEMA money that reached Orange, Wildfires (2017): 169 households applied for aid, $1K approved, and $396K to the City of Orange for repairs. By flood claims, Pineapple Express - Southern: 2 paid, $2K.
Is Orange at risk from earthquakes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (53%), and Orange’s rate for it is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Orange.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Orange’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.