Photo: Thomas from USA · CC BY 2.0On FEMA’s figures, Port Hueneme faces more hazard damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Port Hueneme gets a D− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns, #622 of 847 in California. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (54%), then earthquakes (46%). Flood insurance has paid 4 claims here since 1980.
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 Port Hueneme 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 Port Hueneme’s grade
River and rain flooding is 54% of the building damage FEMA expects in Port Hueneme, and Port Hueneme’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts. Earthquakes add 46%, at a rate in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
D− #622 of 847 in California; higher expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Port Hueneme’s residents live in 4 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, Port Hueneme has more expected damage per building than 73% of California towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $13.0M a year in losses across Port Hueneme: $10.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Port Hueneme flood? Rarely: 4 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Port Hueneme, from FEMA’s records: 0.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 90% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The December California Flooding2 claims · $83K
Port Hueneme isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Ventura County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Port Hueneme
Disasters that paid out in Port Hueneme itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Port Hueneme), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2022Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides18 households applied for aid$31K aid approved
- 2004Severe Storms, Flooding, Debris Flows, and Mudslides5 households applied for aid$154K to the City of Port Hueneme 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 Port Hueneme after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Port Hueneme archive →Port Hueneme and its neighbors
Port Hueneme is 3rd of the 3 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 |
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 Port Hueneme 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 Port Hueneme
Is Port Hueneme at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Port Hueneme has higher expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk, #622 of 847 in California. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (54%) and earthquakes (46%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Port Hueneme flood?
Flood insurance has paid 4 claims in Port Hueneme since 1980, $84K in all, or 0.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 90% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from December California Flooding (2).
Is Port Hueneme 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 Port Hueneme?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Port Hueneme’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 Port Hueneme?
By FEMA money that reached Port Hueneme, Severe Storms, Flooding, Debris Flows, and Mudslides (2004): 5 households applied for aid, $0 approved, and $154K to the City of Port Hueneme for repairs. By flood claims, December California Flooding: 2 paid, $83K.
Is Port Hueneme at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (54%), and Port Hueneme’s rate for it is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Port Hueneme.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Port Hueneme’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.