Photo: Bobak Ha'Eri · CC BY 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Reedley faces more hazard damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Reedley gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns, #143 of 847 in California. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (75%), then earthquakes (24%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 Reedley 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 Reedley’s grade
River and rain flooding is 75% of the building damage FEMA expects in Reedley, and Reedley’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 80% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 24% (higher than 84% of U.S. census tracts).
C− #143 of 847 in California; higher expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Reedley’s residents live in 6 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, Reedley has less expected damage per building than 83% of California towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $8.3M a year in losses across Reedley: $6.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Reedley flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Reedley. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Reedley isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Fresno County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Reedley
Disasters that paid out in Reedley itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Reedley), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Winter Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides1 households applied for aid$2K aid approved$33K to the City of Reedley for repairs
- 2020Wildfires5 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
Fresno County has had 15 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 2 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Fresno County, 2016–2020.
Old photos of Reedley after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Reedley archive →Get ready for what Reedley 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 Reedley
Is Reedley at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Reedley has higher expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #143 of 847 in California. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (75%) and earthquakes (24%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Reedley 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 Fresno County, 20% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Reedley?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Reedley’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 Reedley?
By FEMA money that reached Reedley, Severe Winter Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2023): 1 households applied for aid, $2K approved, and $33K to the City of Reedley for repairs.
Is Reedley at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (75%), and Reedley’s rate for it is higher than 80% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Reedley.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Reedley’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.