Photo: Bobak Ha'Eri · CC BY 3.0FEMA puts Porterville’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 94% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Porterville gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns, #469 of 847 in California. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (89%), then earthquakes (10%). Flood insurance has paid 14 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 Porterville 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 Porterville’s grade
River and rain flooding is 89% of the building damage FEMA expects in Porterville, and Porterville’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 10% (higher than 82% of U.S. census tracts).
D #469 of 847 in California; higher expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Porterville’s residents live in 18 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, Porterville has more expected damage per building than 55% of California towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $30.9M a year in losses across Porterville: $26.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Porterville flood? Sometimes: 14 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Porterville, from FEMA’s records: 0.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 85% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Pineapple Express - Southern3 claims · $43K
- The California Atmospheric River2 claims · $9K
Porterville 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.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Porterville
Disasters that paid out in Porterville itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Porterville), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Winter Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides689 households applied for aid$985K aid approved$683K to the City of Porterville for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2010Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Debris and Mud Flows$203K to the City of Porterville for repairs
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 Porterville after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Porterville archive →Porterville and its neighbors
Porterville 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Porterville | Dmore damage than 94% | river and rain flooding | 14 |
| East Porterville | D−more damage than 96% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
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 Porterville 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 Porterville
Is Porterville at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Porterville has higher expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #469 of 847 in California. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (89%) and earthquakes (10%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Porterville flood?
Flood insurance has paid 14 claims in Porterville since 1978, $61K in all, or 0.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 85% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Pineapple Express - Southern (3).
Is Porterville 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 Porterville?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Porterville’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 Porterville?
By FEMA money that reached Porterville, Severe Winter Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2023): 689 households applied for aid, $985K approved, and $683K to the City of Porterville for repairs. By flood claims, Pineapple Express - Southern: 3 paid, $43K.
Is Porterville at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (89%), and Porterville’s rate for it is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Porterville.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Porterville’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.