Photo: Tommaso Trentani · CC BY-SA 4.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Ripon than in 73% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Ripon gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns, #129 of 847 in California. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (59%), then earthquakes (40%). 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 Ripon 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 Ripon’s grade
River and rain flooding is 59% of the building damage FEMA expects in Ripon, and Ripon’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 65% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 40% (higher than 87% of U.S. census tracts).
C #129 of 847 in California; higher expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Ripon’s residents live in 3 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, Ripon has less expected damage per building than 85% of California towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $9.9M a year in losses across Ripon: $6.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Ripon flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Ripon. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Ripon 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 Joaquin County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Ripon
Disasters that paid out in Ripon itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Ripon), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Winter Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$231K to the City of Ripon for repairs
- 2022Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides10 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
San Joaquin County has had 22 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.
Old photos of Ripon after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Ripon archive →Get ready for what Ripon 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 Ripon
Is Ripon at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Ripon has higher expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #129 of 847 in California. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (59%) and earthquakes (40%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Ripon 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 Joaquin County, 25% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.8% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Ripon?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Ripon’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 Ripon?
By FEMA money that reached Ripon, Severe Winter Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2023): $231K to the City of Ripon for repairs.
Is Ripon at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (59%), and Ripon’s rate for it is higher than 65% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Ripon.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Ripon’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.