Photo: Dirk Hansen · CC BY-SA 3.0More hazard damage per building is expected in San Diego than in 73% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, San Diego gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns, #125 of 847 in California. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (52%), then earthquakes (43%). Flood insurance has paid 589 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 stands out about San Diego’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What San Diego 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 San Diego’s grade
River and rain flooding is 52% of the building damage FEMA expects in San Diego, and San Diego’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 62% of U.S. census tracts. Wildfire adds 4%, at a rate in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
C #125 of 847 in California; higher expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns (21,298).
San Diego’s residents live in 339 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 Diego has less expected damage per building than 85% of California towns.
Among the 400 U.S. cities of 100,000 or more, San Diego has higher expected damage per building than 65% (#262 of 400). Because it is so big, its total expected yearly loss, $483M, is the 12th largest of those 400.
Does San Diego flood? Yes: 589 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in San Diego, from FEMA’s records: 1.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 77% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The San Diego Flooding109 claims · $13.1M
- The Pineapple Express - Southern46 claims · $620K
- The Winter storm18 claims · $277K
San Diego is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: San Diego County.10 federal disasters brought FEMA money to San Diego
Disasters that paid out in San Diego itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of San Diego), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storm and Flooding4,666 households applied for aid$15.6M aid approved116 flood claims paid that year
- 2022Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$537K to the City of San Diego for repairs
- 2020Wildfires584 households applied for aid$5K aid approved
- 2020Wildfires7 households applied for aid$1K aid approved
- 2017Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides$883K to the City of San Diego for repairs30 flood claims paid that year
- 2010Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Debris and Mud Flows$3.7M to the City of San Diego for repairs45 flood claims paid that year
Show all 10
- 2007Wildfires, Flooding, Mud Flows, and Debris Flows2,702 households applied for aid$650K aid approved$10.4M to the City of San Diego for repairs
- 2005Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mud and Debris Flows$2.8M to the City of San Diego for repairs13 flood claims paid that year
- 2004Severe Storms, Flooding, Debris Flows, and Mudslides244 households applied for aid$180K aid approved$2.5M to the City of San Diego for repairs13 flood claims paid that year
- 2003Wildfires, Flooding, Mudflow and Debris Flow Directly Related T935 households applied for aid$829K aid approved$2.8M to the City of San Diego for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
San Diego County has had 30 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 18 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in San Diego County, 2002–2018.
Old photos of San Diego after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the San Diego archive →San Diego and its neighbors
San Diego is 4th of the 11 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| La Mesa | B−less damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 25 |
| Lemon Grove | B−more damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Chula Vista | Cmore damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 16 |
| San Diego | Cmore damage than 73% | river and rain flooding | 589 |
| La Presa | C−more damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 33 |
| National City | C−more damage than 81% | river and rain flooding | 42 |
| Coronado | Dmore damage than 87% | river and rain flooding | 31 |
| Imperial Beach | Dmore damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | 34 |
| Escondido | Dmore damage than 89% | river and rain flooding | 28 |
| Poway | Dmore damage than 90% | river and rain flooding | 54 |
| Santee | Dmore damage than 91% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
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 Diego 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.
- San Diego 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 San Diego
Is San Diego at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, San Diego has higher expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #125 of 847 in California. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (52%) and earthquakes (43%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does San Diego flood?
Flood insurance has paid 589 claims in San Diego since 1978, $26.7M in all, or 1.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 77% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 71 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from San Diego Flooding (109).
Is San Diego 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 Diego County, 24% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in San Diego?
San Diego 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 San Diego?
By FEMA money that reached San Diego, Severe Storm and Flooding (2024): 4,666 households applied for aid, $15.6M approved. By flood claims, San Diego Flooding: 109 paid, $13.1M.
Is San Diego at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (52%), and San Diego’s rate for it is higher than 62% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in San Diego.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where San Diego’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.