Photo: Public domain · Public domainFEMA puts Patterson’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 69% of U.S. towns, led by earthquakes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Patterson gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns, #108 of 847 in California. Most of that expected damage is earthquakes (50%), then river and rain flooding (50%). Flood insurance has paid 26 claims here since 1983.
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 Patterson’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Patterson 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 Patterson’s grade
Earthquakes are 50% of the building damage FEMA expects in Patterson, and Patterson’s rate of earthquakes damage is higher than 88% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 50% (higher than 52% of U.S. census tracts).
C #108 of 847 in California; higher expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Patterson’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, Patterson has less expected damage per building than 87% of California towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $7.7M a year in losses across Patterson: $5.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Patterson flood? Sometimes: 26 flood claims since 1983
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Patterson, from FEMA’s records: 3.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 53% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Pineapple Express - Southern15 claims · $168K
Patterson is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 8) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Stanislaus County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Patterson
Disasters that paid out in Patterson itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Patterson), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2020Wildfires16 households applied for aid$41K aid approved
- 2017Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides$33K to the City of Patterson for repairs
Stanislaus County has had 16 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 1 FEMA wildfire suppression grant (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Stanislaus County, 2020–2020.
Old photos of Patterson after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Patterson archive →Get ready for what Patterson 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.
- Patterson residents get 10% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Patterson
Is Patterson at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Patterson has higher expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #108 of 847 in California. Most of the expected damage is earthquakes (50%) and river and rain flooding (50%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Patterson flood?
Flood insurance has paid 26 claims in Patterson since 1983, $275K in all, or 3.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 53% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 4 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Pineapple Express - Southern (15).
Is Patterson 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 Stanislaus County, 23% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Patterson?
Patterson is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 8), which takes 10% 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 Patterson?
By FEMA money that reached Patterson, Wildfires (2020): 16 households applied for aid, $41K approved. By flood claims, Pineapple Express - Southern: 15 paid, $168K.
Is Patterson at risk from earthquakes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (50%), and Patterson’s rate for it is higher than 88% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Patterson.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Patterson’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.