On FEMA’s figures, Taft Mosswood faces more hazard damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Taft Mosswood gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (53%), then earthquakes (47%). Flood insurance has paid 3 claims here since 1996.
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 Taft Mosswood 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 Taft Mosswood’s grade
River and rain flooding is 53% of the building damage FEMA expects in Taft Mosswood, and Taft Mosswood’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 86% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 47% (higher than 90% of U.S. census tracts).
D higher expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Taft Mosswood’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $954K a year in losses across Taft Mosswood: $664K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Taft Mosswood flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 1996
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Taft Mosswood, from FEMA’s records: 7.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 68% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The California Atmospheric River1 claim · $39K
Taft Mosswood isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: San Joaquin County.The storms Taft Mosswood remembers
None of the 22 disasters declared for San Joaquin County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching Taft Mosswood itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 19961 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Storms, Flooding, Mud and Landslides, declared for San Joaquin County
- 20051 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, and Landslides, declared for San Joaquin County
- 20231 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides, declared for San Joaquin County
San Joaquin County has had 22 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often floods, then severe storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Taft Mosswood after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Taft Mosswood archive →Get ready for what Taft Mosswood 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 Taft Mosswood
Is Taft Mosswood at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Taft Mosswood has higher expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (53%) and earthquakes (47%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Taft Mosswood flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in Taft Mosswood since 1996, $71K in all, or 7.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 68% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from California Atmospheric River (1).
Is Taft Mosswood 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 San Joaquin County, 25% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.8% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Taft Mosswood?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Taft Mosswood’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 Taft Mosswood?
By flood claims, California Atmospheric River: 1 paid, $39K.
Is Taft Mosswood at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (53%), and Taft Mosswood’s rate for it is higher than 86% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Taft Mosswood.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Taft Mosswood’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.