Photo: Tori Sloane · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA puts Oxnard’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 94% of U.S. towns, mostly from earthquakes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Oxnard gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns, #509 of 847 in California. Most of that expected damage is earthquakes (54%), then river and rain flooding (46%). Flood insurance has paid 47 claims here since 1978.
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 Oxnard’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Oxnard 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 Oxnard’s grade
Earthquakes are 54% of the building damage FEMA expects in Oxnard, and Oxnard’s rate of earthquakes damage is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 46% (higher than 88% of U.S. census tracts).
D #509 of 847 in California; higher expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Oxnard’s residents live in 47 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, Oxnard has more expected damage per building than 60% of California towns.
Among the 400 U.S. cities of 100,000 or more, Oxnard has higher expected damage per building than 90% (#360 of 400). Because it is so big, its total expected yearly loss, $123M, is the 83th largest of those 400.
Does Oxnard flood? Sometimes: 47 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Oxnard, from FEMA’s records: 0.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 82% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Pineapple Express - Southern4 claims · $37K
- The California Atmospheric River1 claim · $10K
- The December California Flooding1 claim · $8K
Oxnard is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Ventura County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Oxnard
Disasters that paid out in Oxnard itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Oxnard), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2022Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides147 households applied for aid$98K aid approved$203K to the City of Oxnard for repairs
- 2017Wildfires, Flooding, Mudflows, and Debris Flows20 households applied for aid$30K to the City of Oxnard for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2005Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mud and Debris Flows$146K to the City of Oxnard for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms, Flooding, Debris Flows, and Mudslides44 households applied for aid$8K aid approved$1.1M to the City of Oxnard for repairs
- 2003Wildfires, Flooding, Mudflow and Debris Flow Directly Related T7 households applied for aid$54 aid approved$8K to the City of Oxnard for repairs
Ventura County has had 32 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 17 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Ventura County, 2003–2026.
Old photos of Oxnard after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Oxnard archive →Oxnard and its neighbors
Oxnard is 2nd of the 5 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Channel Islands Beach | Dmore damage than 92% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Oxnard | Dmore damage than 94% | earthquakes | 47 |
| Port Hueneme | D−more damage than 96% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| San Buenaventura (Ventura) | D−more damage than 97% | earthquakes | 16 |
| El Rio | D−more damage than 98% | earthquakes | — |
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 Oxnard 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.
- Oxnard residents get 15% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Oxnard
Is Oxnard at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Oxnard has higher expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #509 of 847 in California. Most of the expected damage is earthquakes (54%) and river and rain flooding (46%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Oxnard flood?
Flood insurance has paid 47 claims in Oxnard since 1978, $263K in all, or 0.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 82% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 7 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Pineapple Express - Southern (4).
Is Oxnard 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 Ventura County, 31% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Oxnard?
Oxnard is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7), which takes 15% 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 Oxnard?
By FEMA money that reached Oxnard, Severe Storms, Flooding, Debris Flows, and Mudslides (2004): 44 households applied for aid, $8K approved, and $1.1M to the City of Oxnard for repairs. By flood claims, Pineapple Express - Southern: 4 paid, $37K.
Is Oxnard at risk from earthquakes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (54%), and Oxnard’s rate for it is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Oxnard.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Oxnard’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.