Photo: Always dreamin · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Shasta Lake faces more hazard damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Shasta Lake gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns, #284 of 847 in California. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (69%), then wildfire (17%). Flood insurance has paid 11 claims here since 2005.
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 Shasta Lake 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
Wildfire
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 Shasta Lake’s grade
River and rain flooding is 69% of the building damage FEMA expects in Shasta Lake, and Shasta Lake’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 89% of U.S. census tracts. Wildfire adds 17%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
D #284 of 847 in California; higher expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Shasta Lake’s residents live in 6 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, Shasta Lake has less expected damage per building than 67% of California towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.1M a year in losses across Shasta Lake: $3.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Shasta Lake flood? Sometimes: 11 flood claims since 2005
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Shasta Lake, from FEMA’s records: 2.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 56% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Shasta Lake isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Shasta County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Shasta Lake
Disasters that paid out in Shasta Lake itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Shasta Lake), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Winter Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$34K to the City of Shasta Lake for repairs
- 2019Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$173K to the City of Shasta Lake for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2018Wildfires and High Winds178 households applied for aid$291K to the City of Shasta Lake for repairs
- 2005Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, and Landslides2 households applied for aid$2K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
Shasta County has had 23 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 15 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Shasta County, 2002–2021.
Old photos of Shasta Lake after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Shasta Lake archive →Shasta Lake and its neighbors
Shasta Lake 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Redding | Dmore damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | 51 |
| Shasta Lake | Dmore damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | 11 |
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 Shasta Lake 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.
- 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.
- 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 Shasta Lake
Is Shasta Lake at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Shasta Lake has higher expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #284 of 847 in California. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (69%) and wildfire (17%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Shasta Lake flood?
Flood insurance has paid 11 claims in Shasta Lake since 2005, $452K in all, or 2.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 56% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Shasta Lake 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 Shasta County, 19% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.8% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Shasta Lake?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Shasta Lake’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 Shasta Lake?
By FEMA money that reached Shasta Lake, Wildfires and High Winds (2018): 178 households applied for aid, $0 approved, and $291K to the City of Shasta Lake for repairs.
Is Shasta Lake at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (69%), and Shasta Lake’s rate for it is higher than 89% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Shasta Lake.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Shasta Lake’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.