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Ventura County, California
Recorded hazard history: storm events since 1950, federal disaster declarations since 1953, flood insurance claims since 1978, and FEMA's risk index.
NCEI notes that Storm Data is compiled from a variety of sources including the National Weather Service, other federal, state and local agencies, the media and the public; that property and crop damage figures are estimates; and that some events are recorded by NWS forecast zone rather than by county. FEMA notes that NFIP claim records are redacted and aggregated to protect the privacy of policyholders. NCEI storm records through 30 Jun 2026; OpenFEMA declarations refreshed 1 Oct 2026; NFIP claims as of 8 Sep 2026.
Ventura County, California, has 166 weather events in the NCEI Storm Events record since 1950, most of them floods and flash floods.
That is 9.0 events per 100 square miles, below the California figure of 26.2, and 2.0 per 10,000 residents against 10.4 statewide.
16 events fall in the 12 months to 30 Jun 2026. NCEI attributes 1 death and 21 injuries to events in the county, with property damage estimated at $5.4M and crop damage at $273M.
FEMA has designated the county in 53 federal disaster declarations since 1953; the most recent is Sandy Fire (fire management assistance, 18 May 2026).
National Flood Insurance Program policyholders in the county filed 1,331 claims since 1978, of which 835 were paid, totalling $16M (about $19K per paid claim). FEMA counts 3,771 residential flood policies in force.
FEMA's National Risk Index rates the county's overall risk as "Relatively High" and its expected annual loss as "Relatively High" ($762M a year across 18 hazards).
Compared with California and the United States
| Measure | Ventura County | California | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Recorded events since 1950 | 166 | 40,849 | 1,977,440 |
| Events per 100 square miles | 9.0 | 26.2 | 56.0 |
| Events per 10,000 residents | 2.0 | 10.4 | 59.6 |
| Events in the last 12 months | 16 | 1,233 | 62,008 |
| Deaths recorded by NCEI | 1 | 1,170 | 26,435 |
| Property damage (NCEI estimates) | $5.4M | $30B | $575B |
| NFIP claims per 1,000 residents | 1.6 | 1.4 | 8.1 |
| Average paid NFIP claim | $19K | $21K | $43K |
| Claims per 100 policies in force, last 10 years | 4.4 | 5.0 | 16.1 |
County-recorded events plus zone-recorded events whose forecast zone is named for the county. State and US rows include events recorded only by forecast zone. Rates use 2021 Census population and land area.
Events by decade
Trend: 93 events in the 20 years to 2025 against 66 in the 20 years before. Reporting practice changed in 1996 and again with automated reports in the 2000s, so decade totals measure the record as much as the weather.
Events by type
Hazard pages exist for hail, tornado, flood, wind and winter where the county has at least 10 recorded events. "Other" covers heavy rain, debris flow, dust, funnel clouds and similar reports.
Largest recorded events
| Date | Event type | Group | Magnitude | Property damage | Crop damage | Deaths | Injuries | Geography |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20 Jan 2010 | Flash Flood | Flood | — | — | — | 1 | — | County |
| 7 Jan 2005 | Heavy Rain | Other | — | — | $190M | — | — | County |
| 21 Dec 1998 | Frost/Freeze | Cold | — | — | $74M | — | — | County |
| 18 Oct 1998 | Wildfire | Wildfire | — | $400K | — | — | 7 | County |
| 1 May 1996 | Wildfire | Wildfire | — | — | $500K | — | 3 | County |
| 13 Sep 2011 | Lightning | Lightning | — | — | — | — | 3 | County |
| 28 Apr 1996 | Wildfire | Wildfire | — | — | — | — | 2 | County |
| 4 Dec 1999 | Wildfire | Wildfire | — | — | — | — | 2 | County |
| 26 Dec 2000 | Wildfire | Wildfire | — | — | — | — | 2 | County |
| 23 Feb 1998 | Flash Flood | Flood | — | — | — | — | 1 | County |
| 3 Feb 1998 | Flash Flood | Flood | — | — | — | — | 1 | County |
| 20 Feb 2005 | Flash Flood | Flood | — | — | $8.0M | — | — | County |
| 5 Aug 1997 | Wildfire | Wildfire | — | $5.0M | — | — | — | County |
Ranked by deaths, then injuries, then NCEI's damage estimate. Deaths and injuries are NCEI counts (direct plus indirect); no personal details are recorded here.
Federal disaster declarations
| Declared | Number | Type | Incident | Title | Programs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18 May 2026 | FM-5635 | Fire management assistance | Fire | Sandy Fire | Public assistance |
| 6 Nov 2024 | FM-5545 | Fire management assistance | Fire | Mountain Fire | Public assistance |
| 13 Apr 2024 | DR-4769 | Major disaster | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms, Tornadoes, Flooding, Landslides, And Mudslides | Public assistance |
| 3 Apr 2023 | DR-4699 | Major disaster | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, And Mudslides | Public assistance |
| 14 Jan 2023 | DR-4683 | Major disaster | Flood | Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, And Mudslides | Individual assistance, Public assistance |
| 9 Jan 2023 | EM-3591 | Emergency | Flood | Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, And Mudslides | Public assistance |
| 22 Mar 2020 | DR-4482 | Major disaster | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic | Individual assistance, Public assistance |
| 13 Mar 2020 | EM-3428 | Emergency | Biological | Covid-19 | Public assistance |
| 1 Nov 2019 | FM-5302 | Fire management assistance | Fire | Maria Fire | Public assistance |
| 30 Oct 2019 | FM-5298 | Fire management assistance | Fire | Easy Fire | Public assistance |
| 11 Oct 2019 | FM-5293 | Fire management assistance | Fire | Saddleridge Fire | Public assistance |
| 12 Nov 2018 | DR-4407 | Major disaster | Fire | Wildfires | Individual assistance, Public assistance |
| 9 Nov 2018 | FM-5280 | Fire management assistance | Fire | Woolsey Fire | Public assistance |
| 9 Nov 2018 | EM-3409 | Emergency | Fire | Wildfires | Public assistance |
| 8 Nov 2018 | FM-5279 | Fire management assistance | Fire | Hill Fire | Public assistance |
| 2 Jan 2018 | DR-4353 | Major disaster | Fire | Wildfires, Flooding, Mudflows, And Debris Flows | Individual assistance, Public assistance |
| 8 Dec 2017 | EM-3396 | Emergency | Fire | Wildfires | Public assistance |
| 5 Dec 2017 | FM-5224 | Fire management assistance | Fire | Thomas Fire | Public assistance |
| 2 May 2013 | FM-5024 | Fire management assistance | Fire | Springs Fire | Public assistance |
| 22 Sep 2009 | FM-2839 | Fire management assistance | Fire | Guiberson Fire | Public assistance |
| 24 Oct 2007 | DR-1731 | Major disaster | Fire | Wildfires, Flooding, Mud Flows, And Debris Flows | Individual assistance, Public assistance |
| 23 Oct 2007 | EM-3279 | Emergency | Fire | Wildfires | Public assistance |
| 22 Oct 2007 | FM-2736 | Fire management assistance | Fire | Ranch Fire | Public assistance |
| 13 Mar 2007 | DR-1689 | Major disaster | Freezing | Severe Freeze | Individual assistance |
| 3 Dec 2006 | FM-2681 | Fire management assistance | Fire | Shekell Fire | Public assistance |
| 26 Sep 2006 | FM-2677 | Fire management assistance | Fire | Day Fire | Public assistance |
| 18 Nov 2005 | FM-2586 | Fire management assistance | Fire | School Fire | Public assistance |
| 28 Sep 2005 | FM-2583 | Fire management assistance | Fire | Topanga Fire | Public assistance |
| 13 Sep 2005 | EM-3248 | Emergency | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation | Public assistance |
| 14 Apr 2005 | DR-1585 | Major disaster | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, And Mud And Debris Flows | Public assistance |
| 4 Feb 2005 | DR-1577 | Major disaster | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, Debris Flows, And Mudslides | Individual assistance, Public assistance |
| 27 Oct 2003 | DR-1498 | Major disaster | Fire | Wildfires, Flooding, Mudflow And Debris Flow Directly Related T | Individual assistance, Public assistance |
| 26 Oct 2003 | FM-2504 | Fire management assistance | Fire | Simi Fire | Public assistance |
| 25 Oct 2003 | FM-2502 | Fire management assistance | Fire | Ca-Verdale Fire 10-25-2003 | Public assistance |
| 9 Feb 1999 | DR-1267 | Major disaster | Freezing | Ca-Citrus Crop Damage 2/2/99 | Individual assistance |
| 9 Feb 1998 | DR-1203 | Major disaster | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms And Flooding | Individual assistance, Public assistance |
| 23 Oct 1996 | EM-3120 | Emergency | Fire | Severe Firestorms | Individual assistance, Public assistance |
| 12 Mar 1995 | DR-1046 | Major disaster | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms, Flooding Landslides, Mud Flow | Individual assistance, Public assistance |
| 10 Jan 1995 | DR-1044 | Major disaster | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, Mud Flows | Individual assistance, Public assistance |
| 17 Jan 1994 | DR-1008 | Major disaster | Earthquake | Northridge Earthquake | Individual assistance, Public assistance |
| 28 Oct 1993 | DR-1005 | Major disaster | Fire | Fires, Mud/Landslides, Flooding, Soil Erosion | Individual assistance, Public assistance |
| 3 Feb 1993 | DR-979 | Major disaster | Flood | Severe Winter Storm, Mud & Land Slides, & Flooding | Individual assistance, Public assistance |
| 25 Feb 1992 | DR-935 | Major disaster | Flood | Rain/Snow/Wind Storms, Flooding, Mudslides | Individual assistance, Public assistance |
| 11 Feb 1991 | DR-894 | Major disaster | Freezing | Severe Freeze | Individual assistance |
| 5 Feb 1988 | DR-812 | Major disaster | Flood | Severe Storms, High Tides & Flooding | Public assistance |
| 18 Jul 1985 | DR-739 | Major disaster | Fire | Grass, Wildlands, & Forest Fires | Individual assistance, Public assistance |
| 9 Feb 1983 | DR-677 | Major disaster | Coastal Storm | Coastal Storms, Floods, Slides & Tornadoes | Individual assistance, Public assistance |
| 21 Feb 1980 | DR-615 | Major disaster | Flood | Severe Storms, Mudslides & Flooding | Individual assistance, Public assistance |
| 15 Feb 1978 | DR-547 | Major disaster | Flood | Coastal Storms, Mudslides & Flooding | Individual assistance, Public assistance |
| 8 Feb 1973 | DR-364 | Major disaster | Flood | Severe Storms, High Tides & Flooding | Individual assistance, Public assistance |
| 29 Sep 1970 | DR-295 | Major disaster | Fire | Forest & Brush Fires | Individual assistance, Public assistance |
| 26 Jan 1969 | DR-253 | Major disaster | Flood | Severe Storms & Flooding | Individual assistance, Public assistance |
| 7 Dec 1965 | DR-211 | Major disaster | Flood | Heavy Rains & Flooding | Individual assistance, Public assistance |
Declarations in which FEMA designated this county, from the OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (v2). DR: major disaster; EM: emergency; FM: fire management assistance. Programs show whether individual or public assistance was made available.
Flood insurance claims
| Year of loss | Claims | Paid claims | Amount paid | Average paid |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 0 | $0 | — |
| 2025 | 11 | 4 | $61,764 | $15,441 |
| 2024 | 15 | 9 | $505,982 | $56,220 |
| 2023 | 67 | 35 | $1,385,305 | $39,580 |
| 2022 | 1 | 0 | $0 | — |
| 2021 | 6 | 2 | $12,228 | $6,114 |
| 2019 | 28 | 15 | $637,171 | $42,478 |
| 2018 | 8 | 4 | $335,218 | $83,804 |
| 2017 | 28 | 17 | $233,059 | $13,709 |
| 2016 | 8 | 4 | $90,240 | $22,560 |
| 2015 | 3 | 2 | $56,300 | $28,150 |
| 2014 | 15 | 12 | $758,677 | $63,223 |
| 2013 | 1 | 0 | $0 | — |
| 2012 | 4 | 0 | $0 | — |
| 2011 | 3 | 1 | $4,243 | $4,243 |
| 2010 | 13 | 2 | $7,036 | $3,518 |
| 2009 | 2 | 0 | $0 | — |
| 2008 | 15 | 9 | $232,375 | $25,819 |
| 2007 | 2 | 0 | $0 | — |
| 2006 | 2 | 2 | $19,186 | $9,593 |
| 2005 | 160 | 122 | $5,291,241 | $43,371 |
| 2004 | 5 | 3 | $120,069 | $40,023 |
| 2003 | 4 | 0 | $0 | — |
| 2002 | 7 | 1 | $72,274 | $72,274 |
| 2001 | 18 | 11 | $97,950 | $8,905 |
OpenFEMA NFIP claims (v3, as of 8 Sep 2026), aggregated by year of loss; amounts are building, contents and increased-cost-of-compliance payments as recorded. Repetitive-loss counts from the NFIP Multiple Loss Properties file (2 Aug 2026); policies in force from the NFIP Residential Penetration Rates file (3 Aug 2026).
National Risk Index
| Hazard (NRI) | Risk rating | Expected annual loss |
|---|---|---|
| Earthquake | $391,572,294 | |
| Inland flooding | $312,763,743 | |
| Wildfire | $50,107,804 | |
| Heat wave | $2,286,663 | |
| Tornado | $1,009,954 | |
| Drought | $994,078 | |
| Tsunami | $790,270 | |
| Landslide | $650,817 | |
| Coastal flooding | $598,513 | |
| Lightning | $536,024 | |
| Strong wind | $492,965 | |
| Hail | $302,482 | |
| Cold wave | $63,058 | |
| Winter weather | $276 | |
| Avalanche | $150 |
FEMA National Risk Index, December 2025 release. Ratings are FEMA's relative comparison of counties; expected annual loss is FEMA's modelled estimate of average yearly building, population and agriculture loss. See how to read the NRI.
Hurricane and tropical storm passes
No HURDAT2 track at tropical-storm strength passes within 100 miles of the county's centre point (through the 2025 season).
ZIP codes with flood claims
- 93001 402
- 93023 166
- 93060 108
- 93022 82
- 93065 57
- 93035 54
- 93015 40
- 93063 38
- 91320 36
- 91361 35
- 91307 27
- 93036 25
- 91362 23
- 91360 22
- 93012 16
- 93030 16
- 93003 15
- 91377 14
- 93010 13
- 93041 8
- 93021 6
- 93066 6
ZIP codes whose NFIP claims carry this county's code, with the number of claims. Five or more claims are needed for a ZIP page to be indexed.
Questions and answers
How often does it hail in Ventura County, CA?
NCEI records 5 hail events in Ventura County since 1950, in 4 different years; that is about 0.1 recorded events a year. 0 reports were golf-ball size (1.75 in) or larger.
Has Ventura County had a tornado?
Yes. NCEI records 8 tornadoes in Ventura County since 1950, 0 of them rated (E)F2 or stronger. Tornado deaths recorded: 0.
When was the last federal disaster declaration for Ventura County?
18 May 2026: Sandy Fire, a fire management assistance declaration for fire. The county appears in 53 declarations since 1953.
How many flood insurance claims have been filed in Ventura County, and how much was paid?
1,331 NFIP claims since 1978, 835 of them paid, for $16M in total. FEMA publishes these figures redacted and aggregated; individual properties are not identified.
Is Ventura County in the National Risk Index's high-risk band?
FEMA's National Risk Index (December 2025) rates the county "Relatively High" for overall risk, "Relatively High" for expected annual loss, "Relatively Low" for social vulnerability and "Relatively Low" for community resilience. These ratings are FEMA's relative comparison across all US counties.
How does Ventura County compare with the rest of California?
9.0 recorded events per 100 square miles against 26.2 statewide, and 1.6 NFIP claims per 1,000 residents against 1.4. The comparison table on this page shows each measure beside the state and national figures.
Provenance
Storm events: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, yearly details files through 30 Jun 2026 (public domain). Declarations: OpenFEMA DisasterDeclarationsSummaries v2, refreshed 1 Oct 2026. Flood claims: OpenFEMA NfipClaims v3 as of 8 Sep 2026; NfipMultipleLossProperties v1 (2 Aug 2026); NfipResidentialPenetrationRates v1 (3 Aug 2026). Risk index: FEMA National Risk Index, December 2025. Hurricane tracks: NHC HURDAT2 through 2025. Population and area: US Census Bureau, 2021 vintage. Built 1 Oct 2026; see the methodology and corrections pages. Hazard hubs: Hail · Tornado · Flood · Wind · Winter.