Photo: Adam Moss · CC BY-SA 2.0Storms, floods and disasters in Monterey
Monterey isn’t graded for hazard risk: Monterey has 143 residents; we grade towns of 1,000 or more. Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 1985.
What Monterey 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
Tornadoes
Hail
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.
Does Monterey flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 1985
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Monterey, from FEMA’s records.
Monterey isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Pulaski County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Monterey
Disasters that paid out in Monterey itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Monterey), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2018Severe Storms and Flooding5 households applied for aid$9K aid approved
- 2009Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding11 households applied for aid$53K aid approved
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding25 households applied for aid$147K aid approved
- 2005Severe Winter Storms and Flooding2 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
Pulaski County has had 14 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Monterey after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Monterey archive →Get ready for what Monterey 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.
- Pick your spot now: the lowest floor, an inside room, no windows.
- A watch means be ready; a warning means take cover now.
- Keep shoes and a flashlight by the bed.
- Park in a garage or under cover when storms are forecast.
- Stay away from windows while it falls.
- Photograph roof and car damage for your insurer.
- 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 Monterey
Does Monterey flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Monterey since 1985, $8K in all.
Is Monterey 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 Pulaski County, 14% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Monterey?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Monterey’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 Monterey?
By FEMA money that reached Monterey, Severe Storms and Flooding (2008): 25 households applied for aid, $147K approved.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Monterey.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Monterey’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.