First Christian Church of Rialto · Photo: Oleknutlee · Public domainMore hazard damage per building is expected in Rialto than in 97% of U.S. towns, mostly from earthquakes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Rialto gets a D− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns, #667 of 847 in California. Most of that expected damage is earthquakes (53%), then river and rain flooding (41%). Flood insurance has paid 6 claims here since 1978.
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 Rialto faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Earthquakes
River and rain flooding
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 Rialto’s grade
Earthquakes are 53% of the building damage FEMA expects in Rialto, and Rialto’s rate of earthquakes damage is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts. River and rain flooding adds 41%, at a rate in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
D− #667 of 847 in California; higher expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Rialto’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, Rialto has more expected damage per building than 79% of California towns.
Among the 400 U.S. cities of 100,000 or more, Rialto has higher expected damage per building than 96% (#386 of 400). Because it is so big, its total expected yearly loss, $68.8M, is the 175th largest of those 400.
Does Rialto flood? Rarely: 6 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Rialto, from FEMA’s records: 0.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 97% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Pineapple Express - Southern1 claim · $655
Rialto 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.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Rialto
Disasters that paid out in Rialto itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Rialto), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Winter Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides32 households applied for aid$26K aid approved
- 2020Wildfires35 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
- 2007Wildfires, Flooding, Mud Flows, and Debris Flows53 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
- 2004Severe Storms, Flooding, Debris Flows, and Mudslides64 households applied for aid$21K aid approved$297K to the City of Rialto for repairs
- 2003Wildfires, Flooding, Mudflow and Debris Flow Directly Related T552 households applied for aid$203K aid approved$45K to the City of Rialto 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 Rialto after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Rialto archive →Rialto and its neighbors
Rialto is 2nd 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 |
| Rialto | D−more damage than 97% | earthquakes | 6 |
| Bloomington | D−more damage than 97% | earthquakes | 1 |
| Colton | D−among the highest damage | earthquakes | 8 |
| San Bernardino | D−among the highest damage | earthquakes | 87 |
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 Rialto faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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.
- 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 Rialto
Is Rialto at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Rialto has higher expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk, #667 of 847 in California. Most of the expected damage is earthquakes (53%) and river and rain flooding (41%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Rialto flood?
Flood insurance has paid 6 claims in Rialto since 1978, $17K in all, or 0.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 97% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Pineapple Express - Southern (1).
Is Rialto 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 Rialto?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Rialto’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 Rialto?
By FEMA money that reached Rialto, Severe Storms, Flooding, Debris Flows, and Mudslides (2004): 64 households applied for aid, $21K approved, and $297K to the City of Rialto for repairs. By flood claims, Pineapple Express - Southern: 1 paid, $655.
Is Rialto at risk from earthquakes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (53%), and Rialto’s rate for it is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Rialto.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Rialto’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.