Photo: The original uploader was Sorcha at English Wikipedia. · CC BY-SA 2.5FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Yorba Linda than in 91% of U.S. towns, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Yorba Linda gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns, #357 of 847 in California. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (48%), then earthquakes (45%). Flood insurance has paid 10 claims here since 1982.
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 Yorba Linda 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 Yorba Linda’s grade
River and rain flooding is 48% of the building damage FEMA expects in Yorba Linda, and Yorba Linda’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 81% of U.S. census tracts. Earthquakes add 45%, at a rate in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
D #357 of 847 in California; higher expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Yorba Linda’s residents live in 20 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, Yorba Linda has less expected damage per building than 58% of California towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $46.5M a year in losses across Yorba Linda: $42.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Yorba Linda flood? Sometimes: 10 flood claims since 1982
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Yorba Linda, from FEMA’s records: 0.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 92% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Yorba Linda isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Orange County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Yorba Linda
Disasters that paid out in Yorba Linda itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Yorba Linda), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2017Wildfires54 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
- 2017Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides$258K to the City of Yorba Linda for repairs
- 2008Wildfires183 households applied for aid$270K aid approved$682K to the City of Yorba Linda for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms, Flooding, Debris Flows, and Mudslides4 households applied for aid$2K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
Orange County has had 27 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 11 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Orange County, 2002–2022.
Old photos of Yorba Linda after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Yorba Linda archive →Yorba Linda and its neighbors
Yorba Linda is 2nd of the 4 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
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 Yorba Linda 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 Yorba Linda
Is Yorba Linda at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Yorba Linda has higher expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #357 of 847 in California. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (48%) and earthquakes (45%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Yorba Linda flood?
Flood insurance has paid 10 claims in Yorba Linda since 1982, $65K in all, or 0.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 92% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Yorba Linda 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 Orange County, 19% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.0% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Yorba Linda?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Yorba Linda’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 Yorba Linda?
By FEMA money that reached Yorba Linda, Wildfires (2008): 183 households applied for aid, $270K approved, and $682K to the City of Yorba Linda for repairs.
Is Yorba Linda at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (48%), and Yorba Linda’s rate for it is higher than 81% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Yorba Linda.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Yorba Linda’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.