On FEMA’s figures, South Dos Palos faces more hazard damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, South Dos Palos gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (58%), then earthquakes (42%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 South Dos Palos 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 South Dos Palos’ grade
River and rain flooding is 58% of the building damage FEMA expects in South Dos Palos, and South Dos Palos’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 84% of U.S. census tracts. Earthquakes add 42%, at a rate in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
D higher expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns (21,298).
South Dos Palos’ residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $991K a year in losses across South Dos Palos: $628K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does South Dos Palos flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in South Dos Palos. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
South Dos Palos isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Merced County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to South Dos Palos
Disasters that paid out in South Dos Palos itself (aid to households or repair grants to South Dos Palos), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2022Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides2 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
Merced County has had 16 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.
Old photos of South Dos Palos after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the South Dos Palos archive →Get ready for what South Dos Palos 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 South Dos Palos
Is South Dos Palos at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, South Dos Palos has higher expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (58%) and earthquakes (42%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is South Dos Palos 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 Merced County, 24% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 5.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in South Dos Palos?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for South Dos Palos’ 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 South Dos Palos?
By FEMA money that reached South Dos Palos, Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2022): 2 households applied for aid, $2K approved.
Is South Dos Palos at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (58%), and South Dos Palos’ rate for it is higher than 84% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in South Dos Palos.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where South Dos Palos’ 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.