American River Grange Hall No. 172 · Photo: Asilvero · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Rancho Cordova than in 70% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Rancho Cordova gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns, #14 of 847 in California. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (71%), then earthquakes (24%). Flood insurance has paid 5 claims here since 1982.
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 Rancho Cordova 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 Rancho Cordova’s grade
River and rain flooding is 71% of the building damage FEMA expects in Rancho Cordova, and Rancho Cordova’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 55% of U.S. census tracts. Wildfire adds 4%, at a rate in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts.
B+ #14 of 847 in California; lower expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Rancho Cordova’s residents live in 21 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, Rancho Cordova has less expected damage per building than 98% of California towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $16.6M a year in losses across Rancho Cordova: $15.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Rancho Cordova flood? Rarely: 5 flood claims since 1982
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Rancho Cordova, from FEMA’s records: 0.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 98% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Pineapple Express - Southern1 claim · $556
Rancho Cordova isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Sacramento County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Rancho Cordova
Disasters that paid out in Rancho Cordova itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Rancho Cordova), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2022Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides78 households applied for aid$78K aid approved$483K to the City of Rancho Cordova for repairs
Sacramento County has had 19 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.
Old photos of Rancho Cordova after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Rancho Cordova archive →Rancho Cordova and its neighbors
Rancho Cordova is 4th of the 6 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| La Riviera | A−less damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | 12 |
| Fair Oaks | A−less damage than 83% | river and rain flooding | 36 |
| Mather | B+less damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Rancho Cordova | B+less damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Carmichael | Bless damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | 44 |
| Gold River | Bless damage than 57% | 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 Rancho Cordova 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 Rancho Cordova
Is Rancho Cordova at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Rancho Cordova has lower expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #14 of 847 in California. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (71%) and earthquakes (24%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Rancho Cordova flood?
Flood insurance has paid 5 claims in Rancho Cordova since 1982, $12K in all, or 0.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 98% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Pineapple Express - Southern (1).
Is Rancho Cordova 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 Sacramento County, 81% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 9.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Rancho Cordova?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Rancho Cordova’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 Rancho Cordova?
By FEMA money that reached Rancho Cordova, Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2022): 78 households applied for aid, $78K approved, and $483K to the City of Rancho Cordova for repairs. By flood claims, Pineapple Express - Southern: 1 paid, $556.
Is Rancho Cordova at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (71%), and Rancho Cordova’s rate for it is lower than 55% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Rancho Cordova.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Rancho Cordova’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.