Photo: Ray Bouknight from Sacramento, CA, USA · CC BY 2.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in Yuba City than in 62% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Yuba City gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns, #23 of 847 in California. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (61%), then earthquakes (38%). Flood insurance has paid 4 claims here since 1986.
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 Yuba City’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Yuba City 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 Yuba City’s grade
River and rain flooding is 61% of the building damage FEMA expects in Yuba City, and Yuba City’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 61% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 38% (higher than 84% of U.S. census tracts).
B #23 of 847 in California; lower expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Yuba City’s residents live in 15 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, Yuba City has less expected damage per building than 97% of California towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $16.2M a year in losses across Yuba City: $13.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Yuba City flood? Rarely: 4 flood claims since 1986
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Yuba City, from FEMA’s records: 0.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 98% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Pineapple Express - Southern1 claim · $805
Yuba City is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 6) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Sutter County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Yuba City
Disasters that paid out in Yuba City itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Yuba City), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2022Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides1 households applied for aid$139K to the City of Yuba City for repairs
- 2017Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides$651K to the City of Yuba City for repairs
- 2017Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides$1.0M to the City of Yuba City for repairs
- 2005Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, and Landslides$1.2M to the City of Yuba City for repairs
Sutter County has had 17 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.
Old photos of Yuba City after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Yuba City archive →Get ready for what Yuba City 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.
- Yuba City residents get 20% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Yuba City
Is Yuba City at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Yuba City has lower expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #23 of 847 in California. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (61%) and earthquakes (38%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Yuba City flood?
Flood insurance has paid 4 claims in Yuba City since 1986, $16K in all, or 0.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 98% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Pineapple Express - Southern (1).
Is Yuba City 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 Sutter County, 11.5% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Yuba City?
Yuba City is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 6), which takes 20% 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 Yuba City?
By FEMA money that reached Yuba City, Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, and Landslides (2005): $1.2M to the City of Yuba City for repairs. By flood claims, Pineapple Express - Southern: 1 paid, $805.
Is Yuba City at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (61%), and Yuba City’s rate for it is lower than 61% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Yuba City.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Yuba City’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.