Storms, floods and disasters in Monterey
Monterey isn’t graded for hazard risk: Monterey has 92 residents; we grade towns of 1,000 or more. Flood insurance has paid 57 claims here since 1978.
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
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? Sometimes: 57 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Monterey, from FEMA’s records.
- The Central U.S. April Flooding4 claims · $163K
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: Owen County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Monterey
Disasters that paid out in Monterey itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Monterey), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides3 households applied for aid$20K aid approved4 flood claims paid that year
Owen County has had 18 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 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.
- 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 57 claims in Monterey since 1978, $905K in all. 5 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Central U.S. April Flooding (4).
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 Owen County, 32% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.0% 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, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2025): 3 households applied for aid, $20K approved. By flood claims, Central U.S. April Flooding: 4 paid, $163K.
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.