Paradise’s building-damage rate from wildfire is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Paradise gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns, #79 of 847 in California. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (37%), then wildfire (33%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 1998.
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 Paradise 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
Wildfire
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 Paradise’s grade
River and rain flooding is 37% of the building damage FEMA expects in Paradise, and Paradise’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 80% of U.S. census tracts. Wildfire adds 33%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #79 of 847 in California; higher expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Paradise’s residents live in 6 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, Paradise has less expected damage per building than 91% of California towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.9M a year in losses across Paradise: $3.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Paradise flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 1998
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Paradise, 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 - Southern1 claim · $15K
Paradise isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Butte County.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Paradise
Disasters that paid out in Paradise itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Paradise), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Winter Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides25 households applied for aid$22K aid approved
- 2020Wildfires159 households applied for aid$13K aid approved
- 2018Wildfires15,677 households applied for aid$64.8M aid approved$32.7M to the Town of Paradise for repairs
- 2017Wildfires47 households applied for aid$1K aid approved
- 2017Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides$82K to the Town of Paradise for repairs
- 2008Wildfires$296K to the Town of Paradise for repairs
Show all 8
- 2005Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, and Landslides$16K to the Town of Paradise for repairs
- 1999Ca-wildfires-08/25/1999$10K to the Town of Paradise for repairs
Butte County has had 24 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 Butte County, 2004–2024.
Old photos of Paradise after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Paradise archive →Paradise and its neighbors
Paradise has the lowest expected damage per building of the 2 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paradise | C+more damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Magalia | Dmore damage than 91% | wildfire | 1 |
| Butte Creek Canyon | — | 713 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 Paradise 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.
- Clear dead leaves and brush within 5 feet of the house.
- Sign up for local alerts and know two ways out.
- Keep N95 masks for smoky days.
- 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 Paradise
Is Paradise at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Paradise has higher expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #79 of 847 in California. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (37%) and wildfire (33%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Paradise flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Paradise since 1998, $15K 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 (1).
Is Paradise 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 Butte County, 22% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.9% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Paradise?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Paradise’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 Paradise?
By FEMA money that reached Paradise, Wildfires (2018): 15,677 households applied for aid, $64.8M approved, and $32.7M to the Town of Paradise for repairs. By flood claims, Pineapple Express - Southern: 1 paid, $15K.
Is Paradise at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (37%), and Paradise’s rate for it is lower than 80% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Paradise.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Paradise’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.