Natural Disasters in University of California-Merced, CA

Hazard risk, disaster history, and FEMA data

Natural Hazard Risk

Source: FEMA National Risk Index

Risk Score

96.9

Relatively High

Expected Annual Loss

95.8

Score (0-100)

Social Vulnerability

61.7

Score (0-100)

Community Resilience

7.3

Score (0-100)

Top Hazard Risks

Drought99.9Earthquake98.5Heat Wave97.7
HazardRisk Score
Drought99.9
Earthquake98.5
Heat Wave97.7
Wildfire92.2
Lightning84.6
Hail67.1
Landslide54.7
Volcanic Activity50.2
Tornado26.2
Strong Wind20.4
Winter Weather19.6
Avalanche3.4

Scores range from 0 (lowest risk) to 100 (highest risk) relative to all U.S. communities. Data from FEMA National Risk Index.

Disaster Declarations

Source: FEMA OpenFEMA

Total Declarations

19

Most Recent

Severe Storm

Apr 2023

Most Common Type

Severe Storm

6 declarations

DateTypeDeclaration
Apr 3, 2023Severe StormSEVERE WINTER STORMS, STRAIGHT-LINE WINDS, FLOODING, LANDSLIDES, AND MUDSLIDES
Mar 10, 2023FloodSEVERE WINTER STORMS, FLOODING, LANDSLIDES, AND MUDSLIDES
Jan 14, 2023FloodSEVERE WINTER STORMS, FLOODING, LANDSLIDES, AND MUDSLIDES
Jan 9, 2023FloodSEVERE WINTER STORMS, FLOODING, AND MUDSLIDES
Mar 22, 2020BiologicalCOVID-19 PANDEMIC
Mar 13, 2020BiologicalCOVID-19
Apr 1, 2017FloodSEVERE WINTER STORMS, FLOODING, AND MUDSLIDES
Feb 14, 2017Severe StormSEVERE WINTER STORMS, FLOODING, AND MUDSLIDES
Mar 13, 2007FreezingSEVERE FREEZE
Jun 5, 2006Severe StormSEVERE STORMS, FLOODING, LANDSLIDES, AND MUDSLIDES
Sep 13, 2005HurricaneHURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION
Feb 9, 1999FreezingCA-CITRUS CROP DAMAGE 2/2/99
Feb 9, 1998Severe StormSEVERE WINTER STORMS AND FLOODING
Jan 4, 1997Severe StormSEVERE STORMS, FLOODING, MUD AND LANDSLIDES
Mar 12, 1995Severe StormSEVERE WINTER STORMS, FLOODING LANDSLIDES, MUD FLOW
Feb 11, 1991FreezingSEVERE FREEZE
Feb 9, 1983Coastal StormCOASTAL STORMS, FLOODS, SLIDES & TORNADOES
Jan 20, 1977DroughtDROUGHT
Jan 26, 1969FloodSEVERE STORMS & FLOODING

Individual Assistance

Source: FEMA Housing Assistance

Total IA Registrations

2,351

Total IA Distributed

$4,721,360

Repair/Replace

$1,685,333

Rental Assistance

$1,151,325

DisasterRegistrationsTotal IA $Avg Damage
DR-46991N/A—
DR-46832,171$3,707,622$2,392
DR-4482179$1,013,739—

Individual and household assistance for homeowners and renters affected by federally declared disasters.

Flood Insurance (NFIP)

Source: FEMA NFIP

Total Claims

497

Total Claims Paid

$14,498,868

Avg Claim Payout

$29,173

County-level NFIP data from FEMA National Flood Insurance Program.

Disaster Recovery Spending

Source: FEMA Public Assistance

Total Federal Spending

$14,479,217

Disasters with PA

6

Total Projects

145

DisasterTypeProjectsFederal $
DR-4683Severe Storm(s)43$7,430,935
DR-4482Biological11$2,788,385
DR-4699Severe Storm(s)22$2,581,148
DR-4308Flood17$587,528
DR-4301Severe Storm(s)18$553,825
DR-1646Severe Storm(s)34$537,395

Hazard Mitigation

Source: FEMA Hazard Mitigation Assistance

Mitigation Projects

5

Federal Funding

$354,908

Avg Benefit-Cost Ratio

3.41

BCR

Top Mitigation Project Types

Project TypeProjectsFederal $
91.1: Local Multihazard Mitigation Plan2$268,325
403.6: Aquifer Storage and Recovery (ASR)1$0
403.5: Floodwater Storage and Diversion1$0
91.5: Local Multijurisdictional Multihazard Mitigation Plan - UPDATE1$86,583

Federally funded projects to reduce future disaster risk. Only includes completed or obligated projects.

University of California-Merced has a relatively high overall natural hazard risk rating according to FEMA's National Risk Index. The top hazard risks are drought, earthquake, heat wave. The area has had 19 federal disaster declarations. The most common disaster type is severe storm (6 declarations). 497 flood insurance claims have been filed in the area. FEMA has obligated $14,479,217 in public assistance recovery funding. $4,721,360 has been distributed in individual assistance to disaster-affected residents. 5 hazard mitigation projects have been funded to reduce future risk.