Photo: Mark Miller · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in South Lake Tahoe than in 79% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, South Lake Tahoe gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns, #163 of 847 in California. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (64%), then earthquakes (32%). Flood insurance has paid 51 claims here since 1980.
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 Lake Tahoe 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 Lake Tahoe’s grade
River and rain flooding is 64% of the building damage FEMA expects in South Lake Tahoe, and South Lake Tahoe’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 77% of U.S. census tracts. Wildfire adds 3%, at a rate in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #163 of 847 in California; higher expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns (21,298).
South Lake Tahoe’s residents live in 11 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, South Lake Tahoe has less expected damage per building than 81% of California towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $15.7M a year in losses across South Lake Tahoe: $12.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does South Lake Tahoe flood? Sometimes: 51 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in South Lake Tahoe, from FEMA’s records: 3.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 51% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The California Atmospheric River5 claims · $157K
- The Pineapple Express - Southern4 claims · $126K
South Lake Tahoe isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: El Dorado County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to South Lake Tahoe
Disasters that paid out in South Lake Tahoe itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of South Lake Tahoe), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Wildfires$345K to the City of South Lake Tahoe for repairs
- 2017Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides$49K to the City of South Lake Tahoe for repairs4 flood claims paid that year
- 2005Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, and Landslides22 households applied for aid$28K to the City of South Lake Tahoe for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
El Dorado County has had 18 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 5 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in El Dorado County, 2004–2022.
Old photos of South Lake Tahoe after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the South Lake Tahoe archive →South Lake Tahoe and its neighbors
South Lake Tahoe has the lowest expected damage per building of the 1 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Lake Tahoe | C−more damage than 79% | river and rain flooding | 51 |
| Stateline | — | 503 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 South Lake Tahoe 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 Lake Tahoe
Is South Lake Tahoe at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, South Lake Tahoe has higher expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #163 of 847 in California. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (64%) and earthquakes (32%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does South Lake Tahoe flood?
Flood insurance has paid 51 claims in South Lake Tahoe since 1980, $1.0M in all, or 3.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 51% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 5 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from California Atmospheric River (5).
Is South Lake Tahoe 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 El Dorado County, 24% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in South Lake Tahoe?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for South Lake Tahoe’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 South Lake Tahoe?
By FEMA money that reached South Lake Tahoe, Wildfires (2021): $345K to the City of South Lake Tahoe for repairs. By flood claims, California Atmospheric River: 5 paid, $157K.
Is South Lake Tahoe at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (64%), and South Lake Tahoe’s rate for it is higher than 77% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in South Lake Tahoe.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where South Lake Tahoe’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.