Photo: Unknown authorUnknown author or not provided · Public domainFEMA puts San Diego’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 66% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, San Diego gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns, #442 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (52%), then hurricanes (35%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2007.
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 San Diego 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
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.
What’s behind San Diego’s grade
River and rain flooding is 52% of the building damage FEMA expects in San Diego, and San Diego’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 57% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 8%, at a rate in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
C #442 of 642 in Texas; higher expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns (21,298).
San Diego’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Texas town has higher expected damage than 50% of U.S. towns; within the state, San Diego has more expected damage per building than 69% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.8M a year in losses across San Diego: $1.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does San Diego flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2007
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in San Diego, from FEMA’s records: 0.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 88% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
San Diego isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Duval County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to San Diego
Disasters that paid out in San Diego itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of San Diego), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Severe Winter Storms364 households applied for aid$428K aid approved$4K to the City of San Diego for repairs
- 2018Severe Storms and Flooding3 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and Flooding24 households applied for aid$15K aid approved
- 2002Severe Storms and Flooding$90K to the City of San Diego for repairs
- 1999Hurricane Bret$4K to the City of San Diego for repairs
Duval County has had 16 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then severe storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of San Diego after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the San Diego archive →San Diego and its neighbors
San Diego has the lowest expected damage per building of the 1 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Diego | Cmore damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Loma Linda East | — | 9 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 San Diego 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.
- 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 San Diego
Is San Diego at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, San Diego has higher expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #442 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (52%) and hurricanes (35%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does San Diego flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in San Diego since 2007, $6K in all, or 0.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 88% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is San Diego 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 Duval County, 5% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in San Diego?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for San Diego’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 San Diego?
By FEMA money that reached San Diego, Severe Winter Storms (2021): 364 households applied for aid, $428K approved, and $4K to the City of San Diego for repairs.
Is San Diego at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (52%), and San Diego’s rate for it is higher than 57% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in San Diego.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where San Diego’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.