Photo: Toglenn · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Twentynine Palms faces more hazard damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Twentynine Palms gets a D− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns, #589 of 847 in California. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (74%), then earthquakes (26%). Flood insurance has paid 58 claims here since 2000.
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 Twentynine Palms 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 Twentynine Palms’ grade
River and rain flooding is 74% of the building damage FEMA expects in Twentynine Palms, and Twentynine Palms’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts. Earthquakes add 26%, at a rate in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts.
D− #589 of 847 in California; higher expected damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Twentynine Palms’ residents live in 8 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, Twentynine Palms has more expected damage per building than 70% of California towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $20.5M a year in losses across Twentynine Palms: $15.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Twentynine Palms flood? Sometimes: 58 flood claims since 2000
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Twentynine Palms, from FEMA’s records: 5.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 62% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Twentynine Palms 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 Bernardino County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Twentynine Palms
Disasters that paid out in Twentynine Palms itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Twentynine Palms), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Winter Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides18 households applied for aid$29K aid approved
- 2010Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Debris and Mud Flows$25K to the City of Twentynine Palms for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms, Flooding, Debris Flows, and Mudslides6 households applied for aid$5K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
San Bernardino County has had 34 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 24 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in San Bernardino County, 2002–2024.
Old photos of Twentynine Palms after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Twentynine Palms archive →Get ready for what Twentynine Palms 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 Twentynine Palms
Is Twentynine Palms at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Twentynine Palms has higher expected damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk, #589 of 847 in California. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (74%) and earthquakes (26%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Twentynine Palms flood?
Flood insurance has paid 58 claims in Twentynine Palms since 2000, $1.9M in all, or 5.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 62% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 7 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Twentynine Palms 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 Bernardino County, 15% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Twentynine Palms?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Twentynine Palms’ 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 Twentynine Palms?
By FEMA money that reached Twentynine Palms, Severe Winter Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2023): 18 households applied for aid, $29K approved.
Is Twentynine Palms at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (74%), and Twentynine Palms’ rate for it is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Twentynine Palms.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Twentynine Palms’ 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.