Photo: Allie_Caulfield · CC BY 2.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Solvang than in 96% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Solvang gets a D− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns, #637 of 847 in California. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (61%), then earthquakes (22%). Flood insurance has paid 4 claims here since 2011.
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 Solvang 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 Solvang’s grade
River and rain flooding is 61% of the building damage FEMA expects in Solvang, and Solvang’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts. Wildfire adds 13%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
D− #637 of 847 in California; higher expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Solvang’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, Solvang has more expected damage per building than 75% of California towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $8.3M a year in losses across Solvang: $7.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Solvang flood? Rarely: 4 flood claims since 2011
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Solvang, from FEMA’s records: 1.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 70% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The California Atmospheric River1 claim · $160K
- The February California Atmospheric River1 claim · $23K
Solvang 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 Barbara County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Solvang
Disasters that paid out in Solvang itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Solvang), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2022Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides35 households applied for aid$48K aid approved$741K to the City of Solvang for repairs
- 2017Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides$9K to the City of Solvang for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2004Severe Storms, Flooding, Debris Flows, and Mudslides10 households applied for aid$7K aid approved$43K to the City of Solvang for repairs
Santa Barbara County has had 32 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 8 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Santa Barbara County, 2004–2021.
Old photos of Solvang after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Solvang archive →Solvang and its neighbors
Solvang 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Santa Ynez | Dmore damage than 95% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Solvang | D−more damage than 96% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
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 Solvang 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.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Solvang
Is Solvang at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Solvang has higher expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk, #637 of 847 in California. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (61%) and earthquakes (22%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Solvang flood?
Flood insurance has paid 4 claims in Solvang since 2011, $197K in all, or 1.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 70% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from California Atmospheric River (1).
Is Solvang 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 Barbara County, 27% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.9% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Solvang?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Solvang’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 Solvang?
By FEMA money that reached Solvang, Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2022): 35 households applied for aid, $48K approved, and $741K to the City of Solvang for repairs. By flood claims, California Atmospheric River: 1 paid, $160K.
Is Solvang at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (61%), and Solvang’s rate for it is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Solvang.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Solvang’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.