Photo: Famartin · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, California faces less hazard damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns, led by hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, California gets an A+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns, #149 of 261 in Maryland. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (46%), then river and rain flooding (36%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 California faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Hurricanes
River and rain flooding
Strong wind
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 California’s grade
Hurricanes are 46% of the building damage FEMA expects in California, and California’s rate of hurricanes damage is higher than 85% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 36% (lower than 98% of U.S. census tracts).
A+ #149 of 261 in Maryland; lower expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns (21,298).
California’s residents live in 4 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Maryland town has lower expected damage than 97% of U.S. towns; within the state, California has more expected damage per building than 57% of Maryland towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.6M a year in losses across California: $2.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does California flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in California. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
California isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: St. Mary's County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to California
Disasters that paid out in California itself (aid to households or repair grants to California), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2003Hurricane Isabel30 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
St. Mary's County has had 13 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often winter storms, then hurricanes and tropical storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of California after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the California archive →California and its neighbors
California has the lowest expected damage per building of the 3 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | A+less damage than 96% | hurricanes | 0 |
| Lexington Park | Aless damage than 94% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Wildewood | Aless damage than 89% | river and rain flooding | — |
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 California faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- 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.
- 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.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- 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 California
Is California at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, California has lower expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns: A+ for hazard risk, #149 of 261 in Maryland. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (46%) and river and rain flooding (36%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is California 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 St. Mary's County, 55% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 2.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in California?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for California’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 California?
By FEMA money that reached California, Hurricane Isabel (2003): 30 households applied for aid, $2K approved.
Is California at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (46%), and California’s rate for it is higher than 85% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in California.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where California’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.