Photo: MARELBU · CC BY 3.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Soledad than in 88% of U.S. towns, mostly from earthquakes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Soledad gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns, #271 of 847 in California. Most of that expected damage is earthquakes (57%), then river and rain flooding (40%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 1983.
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 Soledad 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 Soledad’s grade
Earthquakes are 57% of the building damage FEMA expects in Soledad, and Soledad’s rate of earthquakes damage is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 40% (higher than 64% of U.S. census tracts).
D #271 of 847 in California; higher expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Soledad’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, Soledad has less expected damage per building than 68% of California towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $9.7M a year in losses across Soledad: $6.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Soledad flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 1983
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Soledad, from FEMA’s records: 0.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 92% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Pineapple Express - Southern1 claim · $9K
Soledad isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Monterey County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Soledad
Disasters that paid out in Soledad itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Soledad), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Winter Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides57 households applied for aid$122K aid approved$32K to the City of Soledad for repairs
- 2022Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides40 households applied for aid$95K aid approved$34K to the City of Soledad for repairs
Monterey County has had 26 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 4 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Monterey County, 2008–2020.
Old photos of Soledad after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Soledad archive →Get ready for what Soledad 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 Soledad
Is Soledad at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Soledad has higher expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #271 of 847 in California. Most of the expected damage is earthquakes (57%) and river and rain flooding (40%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Soledad flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Soledad since 1983, $10K in all, or 0.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 92% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Pineapple Express - Southern (1).
Is Soledad 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 Monterey County, 23% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Soledad?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Soledad’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 Soledad?
By FEMA money that reached Soledad, Severe Winter Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2023): 57 households applied for aid, $122K approved, and $32K to the City of Soledad for repairs. By flood claims, Pineapple Express - Southern: 1 paid, $9K.
Is Soledad at risk from earthquakes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (57%), and Soledad’s rate for it is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Soledad.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Soledad’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.