Photo: Jordan W. · CC BY-SA 3.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Rancho Cucamonga than in 98% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Rancho Cucamonga gets a D− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns, #749 of 847 in California. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (65%), then earthquakes (31%). Flood insurance has paid 25 claims here since 1979.
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 Cucamonga 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 Cucamonga’s grade
River and rain flooding is 65% of the building damage FEMA expects in Rancho Cucamonga, and Rancho Cucamonga’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts. Earthquakes add 31%, at a rate in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
D− #749 of 847 in California; higher expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Rancho Cucamonga’s residents live in 36 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 Cucamonga has more expected damage per building than 88% of California towns.
Among the 400 U.S. cities of 100,000 or more, Rancho Cucamonga has higher expected damage per building than 99% (#396 of 400). Because it is so big, its total expected yearly loss, $191M, is the 46th largest of those 400.
Does Rancho Cucamonga flood? Sometimes: 25 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Rancho Cucamonga, from FEMA’s records: 0.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 92% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Pineapple Express - Southern1 claim · $847
Rancho Cucamonga 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 Bernardino County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Rancho Cucamonga
Disasters that paid out in Rancho Cucamonga itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Rancho Cucamonga), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Winter Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides44 households applied for aid$6K aid approved
- 2010Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Debris and Mud Flows$30K to the City of Rancho Cucamonga for repairs
- 2010Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Debris and Mud Flows$24K to the City of Rancho Cucamonga for repairs
- 2007Wildfires, Flooding, Mud Flows, and Debris Flows7 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
- 2004Severe Storms, Flooding, Debris Flows, and Mudslides22 households applied for aid$5K aid approved3 flood claims paid that year
- 2003Wildfires, Flooding, Mudflow and Debris Flow Directly Related T147 households applied for aid$117K aid approved$362K to the City of Rancho Cucamonga for repairs
San Bernardino County has had 34 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 24 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in San Bernardino County, 2002–2024.
Old photos of Rancho Cucamonga after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Rancho Cucamonga archive →Rancho Cucamonga and its neighbors
Rancho Cucamonga is 3rd of the 5 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fontana | D−more damage than 96% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| Upland | D−more damage than 98% | river and rain flooding | 10 |
| Rancho Cucamonga | D−more damage than 98% | river and rain flooding | 25 |
| Ontario | D−among the highest damage | river and rain flooding | 10 |
| San Antonio Heights | D−among the highest damage | river and rain flooding | — |
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 Cucamonga 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 Cucamonga
Is Rancho Cucamonga at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Rancho Cucamonga has higher expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk, #749 of 847 in California. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (65%) and earthquakes (31%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Rancho Cucamonga flood?
Flood insurance has paid 25 claims in Rancho Cucamonga since 1979, $109K in all, or 0.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 92% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Pineapple Express - Southern (1).
Is Rancho Cucamonga 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 Bernardino County, 15% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Rancho Cucamonga?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Rancho Cucamonga’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 Cucamonga?
By FEMA money that reached Rancho Cucamonga, Wildfires, Flooding, Mudflow and Debris Flow Directly Related T (2003): 147 households applied for aid, $117K approved, and $362K to the City of Rancho Cucamonga for repairs. By flood claims, Pineapple Express - Southern: 1 paid, $847.
Is Rancho Cucamonga at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (65%), and Rancho Cucamonga’s rate for it is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Rancho Cucamonga.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Rancho Cucamonga’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.