Storms, floods and disasters in Ridgecrest
Ridgecrest isn’t graded for hazard risk: FEMA’s tract figures aren’t matched to Ridgecrest yet. Flood insurance has paid 6 claims here since 2001.
What Ridgecrest 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
Hurricanes
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 Ridgecrest flood? Rarely: 6 flood claims since 2001
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Ridgecrest, from FEMA’s records.
- Tropical Storm Allison1 claim · $4K
- Hurricane Katrina1 claim · $149K
Ridgecrest isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Concordia Parish.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Ridgecrest
Disasters that paid out in Ridgecrest itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Ridgecrest), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Severe Winter Storms3 households applied for aid$17K to the Town of Ridgecrest for repairs
- 2011Flooding$8K to the Town of Ridgecrest for repairs
- 2008Hurricane Gustav31 households applied for aid$8K aid approved
Concordia Parish has had 28 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then floods.
Old photos of Ridgecrest after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Ridgecrest archive →Get ready for what Ridgecrest 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.
- The season runs June through November and peaks from mid-August to mid-October.
- Bring in porch furniture and anything the wind can throw.
- Fill the gas tank and charge phones before the storm arrives.
- 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 Ridgecrest
Does Ridgecrest flood?
Flood insurance has paid 6 claims in Ridgecrest since 2001, $258K in all. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Allison (1).
Is Ridgecrest 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 Concordia Parish, 8.8% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Ridgecrest?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Ridgecrest’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 Ridgecrest?
By FEMA money that reached Ridgecrest, Severe Winter Storms (2021): 3 households applied for aid, $0 approved, and $17K to the Town of Ridgecrest for repairs. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Allison: 1 paid, $4K.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Ridgecrest.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Ridgecrest’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.