Photo: Hikki Nagasaki · Public domainMore hazard damage per building is expected in Orland than in 79% of U.S. towns, mostly from earthquakes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Orland gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns, #162 of 847 in California. Most of that expected damage is earthquakes (53%), then river and rain flooding (46%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 2023.
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 Orland 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 Orland’s grade
Earthquakes are 53% of the building damage FEMA expects in Orland, and Orland’s rate of earthquakes damage is in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 46% (higher than 57% of U.S. census tracts).
C− #162 of 847 in California; higher expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Orland’s residents live in 3 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, Orland has less expected damage per building than 81% of California towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.6M a year in losses across Orland: $2.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Orland flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 2023
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Orland, from FEMA’s records: 0.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 85% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The California Atmospheric River1 claim · $67K
Orland isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Glenn County.The storms Orland remembers
None of the 18 disasters declared for Glenn County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching Orland itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 20231 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides, declared for Glenn County
- 20261 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
Glenn County has had 18 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 Orland after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Orland archive →Get ready for what Orland 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.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Orland
Is Orland at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Orland has higher expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #162 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 Orland flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Orland since 2023, $104K in all, or 0.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 85% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from California Atmospheric River (1).
Is Orland 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 Glenn County, 23% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 3.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Orland?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Orland’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 Orland?
By flood claims, California Atmospheric River: 1 paid, $67K.
Is Orland at risk from earthquakes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (53%), and Orland’s rate for it is in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Orland.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Orland’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.