Photo: Davishan99 · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA puts Temecula’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 94% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Temecula gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns, #475 of 847 in California. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (57%), then earthquakes (24%). Flood insurance has paid 4 claims here since 1993.
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 Temecula 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 Temecula’s grade
River and rain flooding is 57% of the building damage FEMA expects in Temecula, and Temecula’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts. Wildfire adds 18%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
D #475 of 847 in California; higher expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Temecula’s residents live in 25 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, Temecula has more expected damage per building than 56% of California towns.
Among the 400 U.S. cities of 100,000 or more, Temecula has higher expected damage per building than 89% (#357 of 400). Because it is so big, its total expected yearly loss, $85.3M, is the 141th largest of those 400.
Does Temecula flood? Rarely: 4 flood claims since 1993
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Temecula, from FEMA’s records: 0.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 99% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Pineapple Express - Southern1 claim · $2K
Temecula isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Riverside County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Temecula
Disasters that paid out in Temecula itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Temecula), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2019Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$96K to the City of Temecula for repairs
- 2017Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides$32K to the City of Temecula for repairs
- 2010Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Debris and Mud Flows$64K to the City of Temecula for repairs
- 2010Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Debris and Mud Flows$102K to the City of Temecula for repairs
- 2007Wildfires, Flooding, Mud Flows, and Debris Flows31 households applied for aid$869 aid approved$38K to the City of Temecula for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2004Severe Storms, Flooding, Debris Flows, and Mudslides26 households applied for aid$41K aid approved$647K to the City of Temecula for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Show all 7
- 2003Wildfires, Flooding, Mudflow and Debris Flow Directly Related T58 households applied for aid$193K aid approved
Riverside County has had 33 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 30 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Riverside County, 2003–2026.
Old photos of Temecula after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Temecula archive →Temecula and its neighbors
Temecula 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Murrieta | Dmore damage than 91% | river and rain flooding | 8 |
| Temecula | Dmore damage than 94% | 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 Temecula 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 Temecula
Is Temecula at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Temecula has higher expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #475 of 847 in California. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (57%) and earthquakes (24%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Temecula flood?
Flood insurance has paid 4 claims in Temecula since 1993, $30K in all, or 0.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 99% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Pineapple Express - Southern (1).
Is Temecula 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 Riverside County, 16% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Temecula?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Temecula’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 Temecula?
By FEMA money that reached Temecula, Severe Storms, Flooding, Debris Flows, and Mudslides (2004): 26 households applied for aid, $41K approved, and $647K to the City of Temecula for repairs. By flood claims, Pineapple Express - Southern: 1 paid, $2K.
Is Temecula at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (57%), and Temecula’s rate for it is in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Temecula.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Temecula’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.