Photo: SkiDragon · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA puts Rosamond’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 92% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Rosamond gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns, #409 of 847 in California. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (69%), then earthquakes (30%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2023.
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 Rosamond 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 Rosamond’s grade
River and rain flooding is 69% of the building damage FEMA expects in Rosamond, and Rosamond’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 30% (higher than 89% of U.S. census tracts).
D #409 of 847 in California; higher expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Rosamond’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, Rosamond has less expected damage per building than 52% of California towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $12.0M a year in losses across Rosamond: $9.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Rosamond flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2023
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Rosamond, from FEMA’s records: 0.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 98% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Hilary1 claim · $4K
Rosamond isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Kern County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Rosamond
Disasters that paid out in Rosamond itself (aid to households or repair grants to Rosamond), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Winter Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides17 households applied for aid$10K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2004Severe Storms, Flooding, Debris Flows, and Mudslides25 households applied for aid$42K aid approved
Kern County has had 22 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 Kern County, 2002–2024.
Old photos of Rosamond after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Rosamond archive →Get ready for what Rosamond 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 Rosamond
Is Rosamond at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Rosamond has higher expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #409 of 847 in California. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (69%) and earthquakes (30%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Rosamond flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Rosamond since 2023, $4K in all, or 0.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 98% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Hilary (1).
Is Rosamond 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 Kern County, 20% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Rosamond?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Rosamond’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 Rosamond?
By FEMA money that reached Rosamond, Severe Storms, Flooding, Debris Flows, and Mudslides (2004): 25 households applied for aid, $42K approved. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Hilary: 1 paid, $4K.
Is Rosamond at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (69%), and Rosamond’s rate for it is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Rosamond.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Rosamond’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.