Photo: Cbl62 at English Wikipedia (Original text: Cbl62) · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, San Fernando faces more hazard damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns, mostly from earthquakes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, San Fernando gets a D− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns, #746 of 847 in California. Most of that expected damage is earthquakes (64%), then river and rain flooding (36%). Flood insurance has paid 7 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 Fernando 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 San Fernando’s grade
Earthquakes are 64% of the building damage FEMA expects in San Fernando, and San Fernando’s rate of earthquakes damage is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts. River and rain flooding adds 36%, at a rate in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts.
D− #746 of 847 in California; higher expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns (21,298).
San Fernando’s residents live in 5 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 Fernando has more expected damage per building than 88% of California towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $23.8M a year in losses across San Fernando: $16.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does San Fernando flood? Rarely: 7 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in San Fernando, from FEMA’s records: 1.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 77% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Pineapple Express - Southern2 claims · $15K
San Fernando isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Los Angeles County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to San Fernando
Disasters that paid out in San Fernando itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of San Fernando), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Wildfires and Straight-line Winds181 households applied for aid$79K aid approved$19K to the City of San Fernando for repairs
- 2017Wildfires, Flooding, Mudflows, and Debris Flows2 households applied for aid$250 aid approved
- 2004Severe Storms, Flooding, Debris Flows, and Mudslides11 households applied for aid$17K aid approved$30K to the City of San Fernando for repairs
Los Angeles County has had 40 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 44 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Los Angeles County, 2002–2025.
Old photos of San Fernando after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the San Fernando archive →Get ready for what San Fernando 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.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in San Fernando
Is San Fernando at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, San Fernando has higher expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk, #746 of 847 in California. Most of the expected damage is earthquakes (64%) and river and rain flooding (36%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does San Fernando flood?
Flood insurance has paid 7 claims in San Fernando since 1978, $96K in all, or 1.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 77% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Pineapple Express - Southern (2).
Is San Fernando 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 Los Angeles County, 33% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in San Fernando?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for San Fernando’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 Fernando?
By FEMA money that reached San Fernando, Wildfires and Straight-line Winds (2025): 181 households applied for aid, $79K approved, and $19K to the City of San Fernando for repairs. By flood claims, Pineapple Express - Southern: 2 paid, $15K.
Is San Fernando at risk from earthquakes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (64%), and San Fernando’s rate for it is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in San Fernando.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where San Fernando’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.