Photo: Perdelsky at English Wikipedia · Public domainOn FEMA’s figures, few U.S. towns expect more hazard damage per building than Ramona, mostly from wildfire
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Ramona gets a D− for hazard risk: among the highest expected damage per building of U.S. towns, #833 of 847 in California. Most of that expected damage is wildfire (75%), then river and rain flooding (21%). Flood insurance has paid 23 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 stands out about Ramona’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Ramona faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Wildfire
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 Ramona’s grade
Wildfire is 75% of the building damage FEMA expects in Ramona, and Ramona’s rate of wildfire damage is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 21% (higher than 90% of U.S. census tracts).
D− #833 of 847 in California; among the highest expected damage per building of U.S. towns (21,298).
Ramona’s residents live in 7 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, Ramona has more expected damage per building than 98% of California towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $35.5M a year in losses across Ramona: $33.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Ramona flood? Sometimes: 23 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Ramona, from FEMA’s records: 3.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 52% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The California Atmospheric River2 claims · $81K
- The Winter storm1 claim · $2K
Ramona isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: San Diego County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Ramona
Disasters that paid out in Ramona itself (aid to households or repair grants to Ramona), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storm and Flooding20 households applied for aid$54K aid approved
- 2007Wildfires, Flooding, Mud Flows, and Debris Flows2,459 households applied for aid$3.3M aid approved
- 2004Severe Storms, Flooding, Debris Flows, and Mudslides19 households applied for aid$17K aid approved
- 2003Wildfires, Flooding, Mudflow and Debris Flow Directly Related T504 households applied for aid$2.2M aid approved
San Diego County has had 30 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 18 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in San Diego County, 2002–2018.
Old photos of Ramona after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Ramona archive →Ramona and its neighbors
Ramona 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Diego | Cmore damage than 73% | river and rain flooding | 589 |
| San Diego Country Estates | D−among the highest damage | wildfire | 5 |
| Ramona | D−among the highest damage | wildfire | 23 |
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 Ramona faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- 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.
- 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.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Ramona
Is Ramona at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Ramona has among the highest expected damage per building of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk, #833 of 847 in California. Most of the expected damage is wildfire (75%) and river and rain flooding (21%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Ramona flood?
Flood insurance has paid 23 claims in Ramona since 1980, $346K in all, or 3.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 52% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from California Atmospheric River (2).
Is Ramona 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 San Diego County, 24% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Ramona?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Ramona’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 Ramona?
By FEMA money that reached Ramona, Wildfires, Flooding, Mud Flows, and Debris Flows (2007): 2,459 households applied for aid, $3.3M approved. By flood claims, California Atmospheric River: 2 paid, $81K.
Is Ramona at risk from wildfire?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (75%), and Ramona’s rate for it is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Ramona.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Ramona’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.