More hazard damage per building is expected in Pixley than in 61% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Pixley gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns, #84 of 847 in California. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (54%), then earthquakes (42%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2010.
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 Pixley 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 Pixley’s grade
River and rain flooding is 54% of the building damage FEMA expects in Pixley, and Pixley’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 54% of U.S. census tracts. Wildfire adds 4%, at a rate in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #84 of 847 in California; higher expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Pixley’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical California town has higher expected damage than 92% of U.S. towns; within the state, Pixley has less expected damage per building than 90% of California towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.8M a year in losses across Pixley: $1.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Pixley flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2010
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Pixley, from FEMA’s records: 1.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 78% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Pixley 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 Pixley
Disasters that paid out in Pixley itself (aid to households or repair grants to Pixley), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Winter Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides8 households applied for aid$300 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 Pixley after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Pixley archive →Get ready for what Pixley 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 Pixley
Is Pixley at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Pixley has higher expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #84 of 847 in California. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (54%) and earthquakes (42%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Pixley flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Pixley since 2010, $4K in all, or 1.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 78% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Pixley 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 Pixley?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Pixley’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 Pixley?
By FEMA money that reached Pixley, Severe Winter Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2023): 8 households applied for aid, $300 approved.
Is Pixley at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (54%), and Pixley’s rate for it is lower than 54% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Pixley.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Pixley’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.