Photo: TCP04 · CC BY 4.0FEMA puts California’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 71% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, California gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns, #22 of 247 in Missouri. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (66%), then tornadoes (11%). 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.
River and rain flooding
Tornadoes
Ice storms
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 California’s grade
River and rain flooding is 66% of the building damage FEMA expects in California, and California’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 67% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 11%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
B+ #22 of 247 in Missouri; lower expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns (21,298).
California’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Missouri town has higher expected damage than 59% of U.S. towns; within the state, California has less expected damage per building than 91% of Missouri towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.0M a year in losses across California: $915K 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: Moniteau County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to California
Disasters that paid out in California itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of California), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$21K to the City of California for repairs
- 2007Severe Winter Storms$121K to the City of California for repairs
Moniteau 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 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 →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.
- 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.
- Ice brings down trees and lines: plan for days without power.
- Run a generator outside, far from doors and windows.
- Keep sand or salt by the door.
- 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.
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 71% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #22 of 247 in Missouri. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (66%) and tornadoes (11%). 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 Moniteau County, 8% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.1% 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, Severe Winter Storms (2007): $121K to the City of California for repairs.
Is California at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (66%), and California’s rate for it is lower than 67% 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.