Photo: Fruitianslip · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA puts Templeton’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 89% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Templeton gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns, #298 of 847 in California. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (62%), then earthquakes (28%). 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 Templeton 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 Templeton’s grade
River and rain flooding is 62% of the building damage FEMA expects in Templeton, and Templeton’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 87% of U.S. census tracts. Wildfire adds 10%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
D #298 of 847 in California; higher expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Templeton’s residents live in 4 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, Templeton has less expected damage per building than 65% of California towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $8.2M a year in losses across Templeton: $6.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Templeton flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Templeton. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Templeton 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 Luis Obispo County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Templeton
Disasters that paid out in Templeton itself (aid to households or repair grants to Templeton), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Winter Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides32 households applied for aid$77K aid approved
- 2022Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides92 households applied for aid$642K aid approved
- 2003Earthquake597 households applied for aid$1.4M aid approved
San Luis Obispo County has had 23 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 San Luis Obispo County, 2016–2016.
Old photos of Templeton after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Templeton archive →Templeton and its neighbors
Templeton has the lowest expected damage per building of the 3 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Templeton | Dmore damage than 89% | river and rain flooding | 0 |
| El Paso de Robles (Paso Robles) | Dmore damage than 89% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| Atascadero | Dmore damage than 91% | river and rain flooding | 26 |
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 Templeton 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 Templeton
Is Templeton at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Templeton has higher expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #298 of 847 in California. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (62%) and earthquakes (28%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Templeton 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 Luis Obispo County, 22% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Templeton?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Templeton’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 Templeton?
By FEMA money that reached Templeton, Earthquake (2003): 597 households applied for aid, $1.4M approved.
Is Templeton at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (62%), and Templeton’s rate for it is higher than 87% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Templeton.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Templeton’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.