Orosi Branch Library · Photo: Bobak Ha'Eri · CC BY 3.0FEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in Orosi as in the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Orosi gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns, #35 of 847 in California. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (74%), then earthquakes (25%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 Orosi 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 Orosi’s grade
River and rain flooding is 74% of the building damage FEMA expects in Orosi, and Orosi’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 55% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 25% (higher than 82% of U.S. census tracts).
B #35 of 847 in California; lower expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Orosi’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, Orosi has less expected damage per building than 96% of California towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.4M a year in losses across Orosi: $870K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Orosi flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Orosi. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Orosi isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Tulare County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Orosi
Disasters that paid out in Orosi itself (aid to households or repair grants to Orosi), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Winter Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides46 households applied for aid$85K aid approved
Tulare County has had 17 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often floods, then severe storms. 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 Tulare County, 2016–2020.
Old photos of Orosi after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Orosi archive →Orosi and its neighbors
Orosi is 2nd of the 2 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cutler | B+less damage than 65% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Orosi | Bless damage than 56% | river and rain flooding | 0 |
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 Orosi 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 Orosi
Is Orosi at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Orosi has lower expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #35 of 847 in California. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (74%) and earthquakes (25%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Orosi 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 Tulare County, 20% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 2.9% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Orosi?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Orosi’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 Orosi?
By FEMA money that reached Orosi, Severe Winter Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2023): 46 households applied for aid, $85K approved.
Is Orosi at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (74%), and Orosi’s rate for it is higher than 55% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Orosi.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Orosi’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.