On FEMA’s figures, few U.S. towns expect more hazard damage per building than Running Springs, led by wildfire
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Running Springs gets a D− for hazard risk: among the highest expected damage per building of U.S. towns, #775 of 847 in California. Most of that expected damage is wildfire (46%), then earthquakes (26%). 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 Running Springs faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Wildfire
Earthquakes
River and rain flooding
Landslides
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 Running Springs’ grade
Wildfire is 46% of the building damage FEMA expects in Running Springs, and Running Springs’ rate of wildfire damage is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts. Earthquakes add 26%, at a rate in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
D− #775 of 847 in California; among the highest expected damage per building of U.S. towns (21,298).
Running Springs’ residents live in 2 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, Running Springs has more expected damage per building than 91% of California towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $8.4M a year in losses across Running Springs: $6.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Running Springs flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Running Springs. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Running Springs 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.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Running Springs
Disasters that paid out in Running Springs itself (aid to households or repair grants to Running Springs), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Winter Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides252 households applied for aid$292K aid approved
- 2007Wildfires, Flooding, Mud Flows, and Debris Flows931 households applied for aid$384K aid approved
- 2004Severe Storms, Flooding, Debris Flows, and Mudslides26 households applied for aid$28K aid approved
- 2003Wildfires, Flooding, Mudflow and Debris Flow Directly Related T811 households applied for aid$138K aid approved
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 Running Springs after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Running Springs archive →Get ready for what Running Springs faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- 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.
- 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.
- Watch for new cracks, tilting trees or suddenly muddy streams after heavy rain.
- Stay off steep slopes in a downpour.
- Leave if you hear rumbling upslope.
- 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 Running Springs
Is Running Springs at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Running Springs has among the highest expected damage per building of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk, #775 of 847 in California. Most of the expected damage is wildfire (46%) and earthquakes (26%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Running Springs 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 Running Springs?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Running Springs’ 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 Running Springs?
By FEMA money that reached Running Springs, Wildfires, Flooding, Mud Flows, and Debris Flows (2007): 931 households applied for aid, $384K approved.
Is Running Springs at risk from wildfire?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (46%), and Running Springs’ rate for it is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Running Springs.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Running Springs’ 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.