Kraft, Herbert, Memorial Free Library · Photo: NoeHill · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA puts Red Bluff’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 96% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Red Bluff gets a D− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns, #592 of 847 in California. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (75%), then earthquakes (23%). Flood insurance has paid 41 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 Red Bluff 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 Red Bluff’s grade
River and rain flooding is 75% of the building damage FEMA expects in Red Bluff, and Red Bluff’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts. Wildfire adds 2%, at a rate in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
D− #592 of 847 in California; higher expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Red Bluff’s residents live in 5 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, Red Bluff has more expected damage per building than 70% of California towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $11.2M a year in losses across Red Bluff: $10.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Red Bluff flood? Sometimes: 41 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Red Bluff, from FEMA’s records: 6.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 65% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Pineapple Express - Southern8 claims · $37K
Red Bluff isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Tehama County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Red Bluff
Disasters that paid out in Red Bluff itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Red Bluff), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2022Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$87K to the City of Red Bluff for repairs
- 2017Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides$16K to the City of Red Bluff for repairs
Tehama County has had 19 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 Tehama County, 2005–2024.
Old photos of Red Bluff after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Red Bluff archive →Get ready for what Red Bluff 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 Red Bluff
Is Red Bluff at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Red Bluff has higher expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk, #592 of 847 in California. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (75%) and earthquakes (23%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Red Bluff flood?
Flood insurance has paid 41 claims in Red Bluff since 1980, $209K in all, or 6.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 65% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 8 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Pineapple Express - Southern (8).
Is Red Bluff 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 Tehama County, 17% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 2.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Red Bluff?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Red Bluff’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 Red Bluff?
By FEMA money that reached Red Bluff, Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2022): $87K to the City of Red Bluff for repairs. By flood claims, Pineapple Express - Southern: 8 paid, $37K.
Is Red Bluff at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (75%), and Red Bluff’s rate for it is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Red Bluff.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Red Bluff’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.