Orange County, CA Environment & Hazard Risk

• EarthquakeVery High$1B/yr expected annual loss, about once every 10 years
• WildfireRelatively High$57.6M/yr expected annual loss, about once every 93 years
• LandslideRelatively High$4.2M/yr expected annual loss, about 18 events a year
• Heat waveRelatively High$11M/yr expected annual loss, about 7.4 events a year
• Coastal floodingRelatively High$8.4M/yr expected annual loss, about 2.1 events a year
• TornadoRelatively Moderate$5.3M/yr expected annual loss, about once every 8 years
• HailRelatively Moderate$937K/yr expected annual loss, about once every 10 years
• LightningRelatively Moderate$489K/yr expected annual loss, about 7.4 events a year
• TsunamiRelatively Low$2.5M/yr expected annual loss, about once every 3 years
• Strong windRelatively Moderate$653K/yr expected annual loss, about once every 6 years
• DroughtRelatively Low$36.6K/yr expected annual loss, about 63 events a year
• AvalancheVery Low$16/yr expected annual loss, about once every 100 years
• Winter weatherVery Low$133/yr expected annual loss, about once every 5 years

Bars show the national percentile score (0 to 100) for each hazard. Dollar figures are expected annual losses to buildings, people and crops. Not rated here: cold wave, hurricane, ice storm, riverine flooding, volcanic activity.

Check the flood zone for an address

Homes with flood insurance

7,994 of 791,916 (1.0%)

Homes in high-risk flood zones

22,389

Insured in high-risk zones

4,175 (19%)

Flood claims since 1978

3,839

Claims paid since 1978

$21.2M

• High Wind228 · 1 death
• Flood80
• Dense Fog75
• High Surf58 · 1 death
• Heavy Rain58 · 1 death
• Flash Flood58 · 2 deaths
• Wildfire41
• Funnel Cloud37
• Strong Wind36
• Heat33 · 1 death

• Wildfire09/09/2024

  Santa Ana Mountains and Foothills

  22 injured, $50M damage

  What happened

  The Airport fire began at 120 pm PDT Monday September 9, 2024 in Trabuco Canyon, at a remote controlled airport facility, following an excessive heat wave where temperatures reached 100 to 112F. The wildfire burned the next 2 weeks across the Santa Ana mountains and SR 74 which was closed. The wildfire reached into western Riverside County, just west of Lake Elsinore. Total acreage was 23,500. Estimated cost of 95 million. There were a total of 160 structures destroyed in Riverside and Orange Counties with 89 of those structures in Orange County. 22 persons, 2 were civilians and the rest firefighters, suffered injuries. A Fire Management Assistance Grant was issued and approved by FEMA through the California.

• Wildfire05/11/2022

  Orange County Coastal

  $60M damage

  What happened

  Coastal Fire ignited on May 11th around 2:50 PM and was contained on May 17th at 7:54 AM. The fire consumed approximately 200 acres and burned up to 20 homes, each of which were valued between $2-5 million, total estimated around $60 million. Evacuation Orders and Warnings were issued for zones within the City of Laguna Niguel. Approximately 900 homes were evacuated as a result. Cause currently unknown.

• Flash Flood02/24/1998

  Countywide, Orange County

  2 deaths, 2 injured, $30M damage

  What happened

  A powerful Pacific storm fed by warmer than normal El Nino conditions in the eastern Pacific, slammed into southern California with strong winds, thunderstorms, and very heavy rain. This was the final in a series of heavy storms which pummelled the region this month. In many areas the ground was nearly saturated and some reservoirs were nearing or exceeding their capacity. The two, to locally five inches of rain which ensued, caused widespread flooding and property damage, prompting the President to declare all four counties Federal Disaster Areas. Strong winds gusting over 40 mph at times felled trees, whose support was weakened in the water-logged soils, which snapped utility lines, resulting in sporadic power outages. Snow levels dropped as low as 1400 feet in the high deserts of San Bernardino County and wind gusts to 60 mph knocked out power to thousands. In the mountains, 1 to 2 feet of heavy, wet snow above 6000 feet, snapped tree branches and power lines. Above 7000 feet, 3 to 4 feet of snow fell. In Laguna Beach, two hillsides gave way, sending a river of mud and water through homes and cars. Two men were killed and at least two others injured, and three...

• Flood12/19/2010

  San Clemente, Orange County

  $36M damage

  What happened

  Orange County officials estimate the total damages to public and private property at $36 million, due the 10+ of rain received by many areas. The city of Laguna Beach was certainly the hardest hit, making up approximately $12 million of the county's damages. Twelve miles of beaches in the county also had to be closed due to massive amounts of debris and pollution in storm runoff.

• Wildfire10/09/2017

  Orange County Inland

  $25M damage

  What happened

  The Canyon 2 Fire began around 0900 PST on the 9th near the 91 Freeway and Gypsum Canyon Rd. in Anaheim Hills. The fire spread rapidly threatening numerous structures. In the first 24 hours the fire consumed more than 7,000 acres. In total 25 structures were destroyed, 55 were damaged and 9,217 acres burned. Four injuries were also reported. The cause of the fire was reported to be embers from the Canyon Fire which began September 25 and contained October 4th. Damage value is an estimate.

• Heavy Rain02/18/2005

  Huntington Beach, Orange County

  $20M damage

  What happened

  An extended period of very wet weather dumped more than 3 to 6 inches of rain along the coast and inland valleys, more than 6 to 12 inches in the foothills and mountains, and more than 2 inches in the deserts. Some of the more impressive totals in inches are 6.80 at Fullerton Airport, 12.33 at Lake Arrowhead, and 18.79 at Lytle Creek. The San Diego River crested above flood stage at 11.46 feet, and the San Luis Rey River crested a half foot below flood stage at 15.89 feet. Lake Hodges, which was at 17% of capacity before the rains started in October, began to spill on the 21st. Mudslides again damaged roads and destroyed homes. The ground became too saturated to support some trees, and many fell, causing considerable damage to property. Inland Empire Dairies suffered greatly from the storms. Dairy farm losses are estimated at $12 million in Riverside County and $26 million in San Bernardino County. It is estimated that 70 to 90 percent of the 1300 miles of back roads in the San Bernardino National Forest were left damaged beyond use. It will cost an estimated $10 to $15 million to repair the damage. The heavy rain raised season rainfall totals to the 3rd wettest all time at San...

• Irvine Ranch Water DistrictServes 450,323 · Surface water · Local governmentNo health violations
• City of AnaheimServes 350,254 · Surface water · Local governmentNo health violations+3 monitoring or reporting
• City of Santa AnaServes 316,184 · Purchased surface water · Local governmentNo health violations+1 monitoring or reporting
• City of Huntington BeachServes 201,000 · Purchased surface water · Local governmentNo health violations
• City of Garden GroveServes 174,226 · Purchased surface water · Local governmentNo health violations
• Moulton Niguel Water DistrictServes 168,315 · Purchased surface water · Local governmentNo health violations
• Santa Margarita Water DistrictServes 165,275 · Purchased surface water · Local governmentNo health violations
• City of FullertonServes 140,054 · Purchased surface water · Local governmentNo health violations