Hyde House · Photo: Bobak Ha'Eri · CC BY 3.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Visalia than in 75% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Visalia gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns, #141 of 847 in California. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (78%), then earthquakes (21%). Flood insurance has paid 24 claims here since 1979.
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 Visalia’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Visalia 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 Visalia’s grade
River and rain flooding is 78% of the building damage FEMA expects in Visalia, and Visalia’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 83% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 21% (higher than 83% of U.S. census tracts).
C− #141 of 847 in California; higher expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Visalia’s residents live in 30 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, Visalia has less expected damage per building than 83% of California towns.
Among the 400 U.S. cities of 100,000 or more, Visalia has higher expected damage per building than 68% (#272 of 400). Because it is so big, its total expected yearly loss, $52.4M, is the 233th largest of those 400.
Does Visalia flood? Sometimes: 24 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Visalia, from FEMA’s records: 0.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 90% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The California Atmospheric River2 claims · $20K
Visalia is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Tulare County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Visalia
Disasters that paid out in Visalia itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Visalia), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Winter Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides234 households applied for aid$335K aid approved$193K to the City of Visalia for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2020Wildfires50 households applied for aid$7K aid approved
- 2010Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Debris and Mud Flows$567K to the City of Visalia for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Tulare County has had 17 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.
Also 3 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Tulare County, 2016–2020.
Old photos of Visalia after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Visalia archive →Visalia and its neighbors
Visalia is 2nd of the 3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Goshen | B−more damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Visalia | C−more damage than 75% | river and rain flooding | 24 |
| Patterson Tract | C−more damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | — |
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 Visalia 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.
- Visalia residents get 15% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Visalia
Is Visalia at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Visalia has higher expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #141 of 847 in California. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (78%) and earthquakes (21%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Visalia flood?
Flood insurance has paid 24 claims in Visalia since 1979, $141K in all, or 0.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 90% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from California Atmospheric River (2).
Is Visalia 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 Tulare County, 20% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 2.9% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Visalia?
Visalia is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7), which takes 15% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Visalia?
By FEMA money that reached Visalia, Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Debris and Mud Flows (2010): $567K to the City of Visalia for repairs. By flood claims, California Atmospheric River: 2 paid, $20K.
Is Visalia at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (78%), and Visalia’s rate for it is higher than 83% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Visalia.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Visalia’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.