Photo: Niceley · CC BY-SA 4.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Thousand Oaks than in 94% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Thousand Oaks gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns, #485 of 847 in California. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (63%), then earthquakes (33%). Flood insurance has paid 40 claims here since 1978.
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 stands out about Thousand Oaks’ natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Thousand Oaks 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 Thousand Oaks’ grade
River and rain flooding is 63% of the building damage FEMA expects in Thousand Oaks, and Thousand Oaks’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts. Earthquakes add 33%, at a rate in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
D #485 of 847 in California; higher expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Thousand Oaks’ residents live in 31 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, Thousand Oaks has more expected damage per building than 57% of California towns.
Among the 400 U.S. cities of 100,000 or more, Thousand Oaks has higher expected damage per building than 90% (#359 of 400). Because it is so big, its total expected yearly loss, $106M, is the 108th largest of those 400.
Does Thousand Oaks flood? Sometimes: 40 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Thousand Oaks, from FEMA’s records: 0.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 82% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Pineapple Express - Southern10 claims · $38K
Thousand Oaks isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Ventura County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Thousand Oaks
Disasters that paid out in Thousand Oaks itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Thousand Oaks), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2022Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides42 households applied for aid$72K aid approved$45K to the City of Thousand Oaks for repairs
- 2018Wildfires142 households applied for aid$69K aid approved$979K to the City of Thousand Oaks for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms, Flooding, Debris Flows, and Mudslides36 households applied for aid$20K aid approved$169K to the City of Thousand Oaks for repairs
- 2003Wildfires, Flooding, Mudflow and Debris Flow Directly Related T7 households applied for aid$1K aid approved
Ventura County has had 32 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 17 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Ventura County, 2003–2026.
Old photos of Thousand Oaks after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Thousand Oaks archive →Thousand Oaks and its neighbors
Thousand Oaks is 2nd of the 7 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oak Park | Dmore damage than 90% | river and rain flooding | 10 |
| Thousand Oaks | Dmore damage than 94% | river and rain flooding | 40 |
| Camarillo | Dmore damage than 95% | river and rain flooding | 14 |
| Lake Sherwood | Dmore damage than 95% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Westlake Village | D−more damage than 95% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Santa Rosa Valley | D−more damage than 96% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Simi Valley | D−more damage than 97% | river and rain flooding | 33 |
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 Thousand Oaks 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 Thousand Oaks
Is Thousand Oaks at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Thousand Oaks has higher expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #485 of 847 in California. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (63%) and earthquakes (33%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Thousand Oaks flood?
Flood insurance has paid 40 claims in Thousand Oaks since 1978, $350K in all, or 0.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 82% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 5 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Pineapple Express - Southern (10).
Is Thousand Oaks 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 Ventura County, 31% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Thousand Oaks?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Thousand Oaks’ 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 Thousand Oaks?
By FEMA money that reached Thousand Oaks, Wildfires (2018): 142 households applied for aid, $69K approved, and $979K to the City of Thousand Oaks for repairs. By flood claims, Pineapple Express - Southern: 10 paid, $38K.
Is Thousand Oaks at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (63%), and Thousand Oaks’ rate for it is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Thousand Oaks.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Thousand Oaks’ 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.