Photo: rosalynn carmen · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Solana Beach faces more hazard damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Solana Beach gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns, #118 of 847 in California. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (69%), then earthquakes (30%). Flood insurance has paid 19 claims here since 1995.
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 Solana Beach 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 Solana Beach’s grade
River and rain flooding is 69% of the building damage FEMA expects in Solana Beach, and Solana Beach’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 72% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 30% (higher than 85% of U.S. census tracts).
C #118 of 847 in California; higher expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Solana Beach’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, Solana Beach has less expected damage per building than 86% of California towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $6.3M a year in losses across Solana Beach: $5.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Solana Beach flood? Sometimes: 19 flood claims since 1995
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Solana Beach, from FEMA’s records: 2.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 53% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Winter storm6 claims · $267K
Solana Beach isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: San Diego County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Solana Beach
Disasters that paid out in Solana Beach itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Solana Beach), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storm and Flooding3 households applied for aid$300 aid approved
- 2007Wildfires, Flooding, Mud Flows, and Debris Flows12 households applied for aid$13K to the City of Solana Beach for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms, Flooding, Debris Flows, and Mudslides6 households applied for aid$5K aid approved
- 2003Wildfires, Flooding, Mudflow and Debris Flow Directly Related T1 households applied for aid$713 aid approved
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 Solana Beach after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Solana Beach archive →Solana Beach and its neighbors
Solana Beach is 2nd of the 4 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
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 Solana Beach 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 Solana Beach
Is Solana Beach at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Solana Beach has higher expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #118 of 847 in California. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (69%) and earthquakes (30%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Solana Beach flood?
Flood insurance has paid 19 claims in Solana Beach since 1995, $447K in all, or 2.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 53% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 7 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Winter storm (6).
Is Solana Beach 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 Solana Beach?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Solana Beach’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 Solana Beach?
By FEMA money that reached Solana Beach, Wildfires, Flooding, Mud Flows, and Debris Flows (2007): 12 households applied for aid, $0 approved, and $13K to the City of Solana Beach for repairs. By flood claims, Winter storm: 6 paid, $267K.
Is Solana Beach at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (69%), and Solana Beach’s rate for it is higher than 72% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Solana Beach.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Solana Beach’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.