Photo: Flickr user MiguelVieira · CC BY 2.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Sutter Creek than in 90% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Sutter Creek gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns, #330 of 847 in California. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (66%), then wildfire (31%). Flood insurance has paid 11 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 Sutter Creek 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
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 Sutter Creek’s grade
River and rain flooding is 66% of the building damage FEMA expects in Sutter Creek, and Sutter Creek’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts. Wildfire adds 31%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
D #330 of 847 in California; higher expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Sutter Creek’s residents live in 3 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, Sutter Creek has less expected damage per building than 61% of California towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.3M a year in losses across Sutter Creek: $1.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Sutter Creek flood? Sometimes: 11 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Sutter Creek, from FEMA’s records: 7.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 69% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The California Atmospheric River1 claim · $59K
Sutter Creek isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Amador County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Sutter Creek
Disasters that paid out in Sutter Creek itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Sutter Creek), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2022Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides20 households applied for aid$71K aid approved$211K to the City of Sutter Creek for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2017Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides$6K to the City of Sutter Creek for repairs
- 2017Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides$8K to the City of Sutter Creek for repairs
- 2005Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, and Landslides$4K to the City of Sutter Creek for repairs
Amador County has had 17 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 1 FEMA wildfire suppression grant (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Amador County, 2015–2015.
Old photos of Sutter Creek after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Sutter Creek archive →Sutter Creek and its neighbors
Sutter Creek 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sutter Creek | Dmore damage than 90% | river and rain flooding | 11 |
| Martell | — | 180 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 Sutter Creek 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.
- 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 Sutter Creek
Is Sutter Creek at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Sutter Creek has higher expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #330 of 847 in California. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (66%) and wildfire (31%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Sutter Creek flood?
Flood insurance has paid 11 claims in Sutter Creek since 1980, $113K in all, or 7.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 69% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from California Atmospheric River (1).
Is Sutter Creek 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 Amador County, 25% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Sutter Creek?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Sutter Creek’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 Sutter Creek?
By FEMA money that reached Sutter Creek, Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2022): 20 households applied for aid, $71K approved, and $211K to the City of Sutter Creek for repairs. By flood claims, California Atmospheric River: 1 paid, $59K.
Is Sutter Creek at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (66%), and Sutter Creek’s rate for it is in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Sutter Creek.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Sutter Creek’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.