Photo: Don Ramey Logan · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in San Clemente than in 74% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, San Clemente gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns, #132 of 847 in California. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (58%), then earthquakes (33%). Flood insurance has paid 57 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 San Clemente 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
Wildfire
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 San Clemente’s grade
River and rain flooding is 58% of the building damage FEMA expects in San Clemente, and San Clemente’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 65% of U.S. census tracts. Wildfire adds 9%, at a rate in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
C #132 of 847 in California; higher expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns (21,298).
San Clemente’s residents live in 15 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, San Clemente has less expected damage per building than 85% of California towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $28.2M a year in losses across San Clemente: $26.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does San Clemente flood? Sometimes: 57 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in San Clemente, from FEMA’s records: 2.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 60% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Pineapple Express - Southern19 claims · $191K
- The February California Atmospheric River1 claim · $14K
San Clemente isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Orange County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to San Clemente
Disasters that paid out in San Clemente itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of San Clemente), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2017Wildfires40 households applied for aid$1K aid approved
- 2017Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides$46K to the City of San Clemente for repairs
- 2010Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Debris and Mud Flows$1.1M to the City of San Clemente for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2004Severe Storms, Flooding, Debris Flows, and Mudslides15 households applied for aid$29K aid approved$95K to the City of San Clemente for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
Orange County has had 27 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 11 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Orange County, 2002–2022.
Old photos of San Clemente after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the San Clemente archive →San Clemente and its neighbors
San Clemente has the lowest expected damage per building of the 4 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Clemente | Cmore damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 57 |
| Dana Point | Dmore damage than 89% | river and rain flooding | 26 |
| San Juan Capistrano | D−more damage than 98% | river and rain flooding | 17 |
| Rancho Mission Viejo | D−among the highest damage | wildfire | — |
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 San Clemente 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.
- 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.
- 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 San Clemente
Is San Clemente at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, San Clemente has higher expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #132 of 847 in California. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (58%) and earthquakes (33%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does San Clemente flood?
Flood insurance has paid 57 claims in San Clemente since 1978, $633K in all, or 2.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 60% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 5 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Pineapple Express - Southern (19).
Is San Clemente 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 Orange County, 19% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.0% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in San Clemente?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for San Clemente’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 San Clemente?
By FEMA money that reached San Clemente, Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Debris and Mud Flows (2010): $1.1M to the City of San Clemente for repairs. By flood claims, Pineapple Express - Southern: 19 paid, $191K.
Is San Clemente at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (58%), and San Clemente’s rate for it is higher than 65% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in San Clemente.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where San Clemente’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.