Photo: Chad K · CC BY 2.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Redding than in 88% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Redding gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns, #275 of 847 in California. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (72%), then earthquakes (22%). Flood insurance has paid 51 claims here since 1983.
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 Redding’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Redding 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
Wildfire
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 Redding’s grade
River and rain flooding is 72% of the building damage FEMA expects in Redding, and Redding’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 90% of U.S. census tracts. Wildfire adds 6%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
D #275 of 847 in California; higher expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Redding’s residents live in 31 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, Redding has less expected damage per building than 68% of California towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $49.5M a year in losses across Redding: $45.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Redding flood? Sometimes: 51 flood claims since 1983
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Redding, from FEMA’s records: 1.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 73% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Pineapple Express - Southern2 claims · $20K
- The California Atmospheric River1 claim · $20K
Redding is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Shasta County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Redding
Disasters that paid out in Redding itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Redding), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2019Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$2.5M to the City of Redding for repairs
- 2018Wildfires and High Winds2,197 households applied for aid$3.6M aid approved$11.2M to the City of Redding for repairs
- 2017Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides$1.4M to the City of Redding for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Wildfires$34K to the City of Redding for repairs
- 2005Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, and Landslides58 households applied for aid$122K aid approved5 flood claims paid that year
- 1999Ca-wildfires-08/25/1999$26K to the City of Redding for repairs
Shasta County has had 23 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 15 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Shasta County, 2002–2021.
Old photos of Redding after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Redding archive →Redding and its neighbors
Redding has the lowest expected damage per building of the 5 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Redding | Dmore damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | 51 |
| Shasta Lake | Dmore damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | 11 |
| Happy Valley | D−more damage than 98% | wildfire | 1 |
| Centerville | D−more damage than 98% | wildfire | — |
| Shasta | D−among the highest damage | wildfire | 1 |
| Keswick | — | 240 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 Redding 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Redding residents get 15% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Redding
Is Redding at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Redding has higher expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #275 of 847 in California. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (72%) and earthquakes (22%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Redding flood?
Flood insurance has paid 51 claims in Redding since 1983, $1.5M in all, or 1.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 73% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 3 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Pineapple Express - Southern (2).
Is Redding 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 Shasta County, 19% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.8% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Redding?
Redding is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7), which takes 15% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Redding?
By FEMA money that reached Redding, Wildfires and High Winds (2018): 2,197 households applied for aid, $3.6M approved, and $11.2M to the City of Redding for repairs. By flood claims, Pineapple Express - Southern: 2 paid, $20K.
Is Redding at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (72%), and Redding’s rate for it is higher than 90% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Redding.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Redding’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.