Photo: Mrrxx · CC BY-SA 2.5On FEMA’s figures, few U.S. towns expect more hazard damage per building than Santa Clarita, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Santa Clarita gets a D− for hazard risk: among the highest expected damage per building of U.S. towns, #772 of 847 in California. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (55%), then earthquakes (36%). Flood insurance has paid 27 claims here since 1992.
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 Santa Clarita’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Santa Clarita 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 Santa Clarita’s grade
River and rain flooding is 55% of the building damage FEMA expects in Santa Clarita, and Santa Clarita’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts. Earthquakes add 36%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
D− #772 of 847 in California; among the highest expected damage per building of U.S. towns (21,298).
Santa Clarita’s residents live in 50 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, Santa Clarita has more expected damage per building than 91% of California towns.
Among the 400 U.S. cities of 100,000 or more, Santa Clarita has higher expected damage per building than 100% (#399 of 400). Because it is so big, its total expected yearly loss, $250M, is the 26th largest of those 400.
Does Santa Clarita flood? Sometimes: 27 flood claims since 1992
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Santa Clarita, from FEMA’s records: 0.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 94% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Pineapple Express - Southern7 claims · $24K
- The Winter storm1 claim · $15K
Santa Clarita is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 6) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Los Angeles County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Santa Clarita
Disasters that paid out in Santa Clarita itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Santa Clarita), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Wildfires and Straight-line Winds417 households applied for aid$123K aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
- 2017Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides$99K to the City of Santa Clarita for repairs12 flood claims paid that year
- 2010Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Debris and Mud Flows$51K to the City of Santa Clarita for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2007Wildfires, Flooding, Mud Flows, and Debris Flows82 households applied for aid$272K aid approved$30K to the City of Santa Clarita for repairs
- 2005Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mud and Debris Flows$758 to the City of Santa Clarita for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2004Severe Storms, Flooding, Debris Flows, and Mudslides148 households applied for aid$400K aid approved$1.7M to the City of Santa Clarita for repairs
Show all 7
- 2003Wildfires, Flooding, Mudflow and Debris Flow Directly Related T9 households applied for aid$13K aid approved
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 Santa Clarita after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Santa Clarita archive →Santa Clarita and its neighbors
Santa Clarita 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stevenson Ranch | D−more damage than 96% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Santa Clarita | D−among the highest damage | river and rain flooding | 27 |
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 Santa Clarita 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.
- Santa Clarita residents get 20% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Santa Clarita
Is Santa Clarita at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Santa Clarita has among the highest expected damage per building of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk, #772 of 847 in California. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (55%) and earthquakes (36%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Santa Clarita flood?
Flood insurance has paid 27 claims in Santa Clarita since 1992, $492K in all, or 0.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 94% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Pineapple Express - Southern (7).
Is Santa Clarita 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 Santa Clarita?
Santa Clarita is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 6), which takes 20% 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 Santa Clarita?
By FEMA money that reached Santa Clarita, Severe Storms, Flooding, Debris Flows, and Mudslides (2004): 148 households applied for aid, $400K approved, and $1.7M to the City of Santa Clarita for repairs. By flood claims, Pineapple Express - Southern: 7 paid, $24K.
Is Santa Clarita at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (55%), and Santa Clarita’s rate for it is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Santa Clarita.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Santa Clarita’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.