Photo: Sgerbic · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA puts Salinas’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 95% of U.S. towns, mostly from earthquakes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Salinas gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns, #527 of 847 in California. Most of that expected damage is earthquakes (59%), then river and rain flooding (40%). Flood insurance has paid 22 claims here since 1982.
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 stands out about Salinas’ natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Salinas 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 Salinas’ grade
Earthquakes are 59% of the building damage FEMA expects in Salinas, and Salinas’ rate of earthquakes damage is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 40% (higher than 87% of U.S. census tracts).
D #527 of 847 in California; higher expected damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Salinas’ residents live in 34 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, Salinas has more expected damage per building than 62% of California towns.
Among the 400 U.S. cities of 100,000 or more, Salinas has higher expected damage per building than 91% (#363 of 400). Because it is so big, its total expected yearly loss, $115M, is the 93th largest of those 400.
Does Salinas flood? Sometimes: 22 flood claims since 1982
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Salinas, from FEMA’s records: 0.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 90% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Pineapple Express - Southern14 claims · $79K
- The California Atmospheric River1 claim · $45K
Salinas is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Monterey County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Salinas
Disasters that paid out in Salinas itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Salinas), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Winter Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides1,434 households applied for aid$3.5M aid approved$2.7M to the City of Salinas for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2022Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides348 households applied for aid$794K aid approved$414K to the City of Salinas for repairs
- 2020Wildfires188 households applied for aid$26K aid approved
- 2017Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides$354K to the City of Salinas for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
Monterey County has had 26 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 4 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Monterey County, 2008–2020.
Old photos of Salinas after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Salinas archive →Salinas and its neighbors
Salinas is 2nd of the 2 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boronda | Dmore damage than 93% | earthquakes | — |
| Salinas | Dmore damage than 95% | earthquakes | 22 |
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 Salinas 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.
- Salinas residents get 15% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Salinas
Is Salinas at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Salinas has higher expected damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #527 of 847 in California. Most of the expected damage is earthquakes (59%) and river and rain flooding (40%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Salinas flood?
Flood insurance has paid 22 claims in Salinas since 1982, $243K in all, or 0.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 90% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Pineapple Express - Southern (14).
Is Salinas 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 Monterey County, 23% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Salinas?
Salinas is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7), which takes 15% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Salinas?
By FEMA money that reached Salinas, Severe Winter Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2023): 1,434 households applied for aid, $3.5M approved, and $2.7M to the City of Salinas for repairs. By flood claims, Pineapple Express - Southern: 14 paid, $79K.
Is Salinas at risk from earthquakes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (59%), and Salinas’ rate for it is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Salinas.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Salinas’ 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.