Photo: UncleVinny · CC BY 3.0FEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in Orangevale as in the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Orangevale gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns, #27 of 847 in California. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (85%), then earthquakes (14%). Flood insurance has paid 34 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 stands out about Orangevale’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Orangevale 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 Orangevale’s grade
River and rain flooding is 85% of the building damage FEMA expects in Orangevale, and Orangevale’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 62% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 14% (higher than 78% of U.S. census tracts).
B #27 of 847 in California; lower expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Orangevale’s residents live in 8 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, Orangevale has less expected damage per building than 97% of California towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $7.0M a year in losses across Orangevale: $6.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Orangevale flood? Sometimes: 34 flood claims since 1986
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Orangevale, from FEMA’s records: 2.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 57% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Pineapple Express - Southern3 claims · $13K
Orangevale isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Sacramento County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Orangevale
Disasters that paid out in Orangevale itself (aid to households or repair grants to Orangevale), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2022Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides62 households applied for aid$34K aid approved
Sacramento County has had 19 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.
Old photos of Orangevale after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Orangevale archive →Orangevale and its neighbors
Orangevale is 3rd of the 4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fair Oaks | A−less damage than 83% | river and rain flooding | 36 |
| Citrus Heights | Bless damage than 61% | river and rain flooding | 16 |
| Orangevale | Bless damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | 34 |
| Folsom | C+more damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | 16 |
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 Orangevale 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 Orangevale
Is Orangevale at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Orangevale has lower expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #27 of 847 in California. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (85%) and earthquakes (14%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Orangevale flood?
Flood insurance has paid 34 claims in Orangevale since 1986, $522K in all, or 2.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 57% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Pineapple Express - Southern (3).
Is Orangevale 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 Sacramento County, 81% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 9.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Orangevale?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Orangevale’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 Orangevale?
By FEMA money that reached Orangevale, Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2022): 62 households applied for aid, $34K approved. By flood claims, Pineapple Express - Southern: 3 paid, $13K.
Is Orangevale at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (85%), and Orangevale’s rate for it is higher than 62% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Orangevale.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Orangevale’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.