Photo: Photo by John Pilge. · Public domainMore hazard damage per building is expected in Scotts Valley than in 97% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Scotts Valley gets a D− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns, #673 of 847 in California. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (52%), then earthquakes (44%). Flood insurance has paid 11 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 Scotts Valley 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 Scotts Valley’s grade
River and rain flooding is 52% of the building damage FEMA expects in Scotts Valley, and Scotts Valley’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts. Earthquakes add 44%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
D− #673 of 847 in California; higher expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Scotts Valley’s residents live in 4 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, Scotts Valley has more expected damage per building than 79% of California towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $15.5M a year in losses across Scotts Valley: $13.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Scotts Valley flood? Sometimes: 11 flood claims since 1982
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Scotts Valley, from FEMA’s records: 2.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 61% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The California Atmospheric River1 claim · $4K
Scotts Valley isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Santa Cruz County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Scotts Valley
Disasters that paid out in Scotts Valley itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Scotts Valley), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Winter Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides29 households applied for aid$96K aid approved$39K to the City of Scotts Valley for repairs
- 2022Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides105 households applied for aid$696K aid approved$104K to the City of Scotts Valley for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2020Wildfires210 households applied for aid$32K aid approved
- 2017Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides$3K to the City of Scotts Valley for repairs
- 2017Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides$40K to the City of Scotts Valley for repairs
- 2017Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides$12K to the City of Scotts Valley for repairs
Santa Cruz County has had 24 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 6 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Santa Cruz County, 2002–2020.
Old photos of Scotts Valley after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Scotts Valley archive →Get ready for what Scotts Valley 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.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Scotts Valley
Is Scotts Valley at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Scotts Valley has higher expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk, #673 of 847 in California. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (52%) and earthquakes (44%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Scotts Valley flood?
Flood insurance has paid 11 claims in Scotts Valley since 1982, $83K in all, or 2.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 61% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from California Atmospheric River (1).
Is Scotts Valley 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 Santa Cruz County, 33% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 2.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Scotts Valley?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Scotts Valley’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 Scotts Valley?
By FEMA money that reached Scotts Valley, Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2022): 105 households applied for aid, $696K approved, and $104K to the City of Scotts Valley for repairs. By flood claims, California Atmospheric River: 1 paid, $4K.
Is Scotts Valley at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (52%), and Scotts Valley’s rate for it is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Scotts Valley.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Scotts Valley’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.