Ridgecrest, California: natural disaster risk
How exposed Ridgecrest is to floods, storms and other hazards, from FEMA and NOAA records for Kern County.
Ridgecrest is a city of 28,225 people in Kern County, California. FEMA's National Risk Index rates Kern County relatively high for natural hazards overall, higher than most of the US. The costliest hazards there are earthquake, inland flooding and heat wave, with about $417 million in expected losses a year across the county. The weather service has logged 809 storm reports in the county since 1960, including 16 tornadoes and 459 floods. About 1.1% of homes in the county carry federal flood insurance.
Risk figures are for Kern County. FEMA National Risk Index December 2025; NOAA Storm Events; US Census Bureau ACS 2020 to 2024. Updated November 6, 2026.
Top risks in Ridgecrest
Full Kern County report ›- Ask whether an older house is bolted to its foundation.
- Consider separate earthquake insurance where risk is high.
- Check the FEMA flood map for your address, and ask the seller or landlord about past flooding.
- Price a flood policy now. Most new federal policies take 30 days to start.
- Check that cooling works before summer.
- Know where the nearest cooling center is.
All hazards
| Hazard | Rating | A year |
|---|---|---|
| Earthquake | $184M | |
| Inland flooding | $147M | |
| Heat wave | $43M | |
| Wildfire | $38M | |
| Drought | $2M | |
| Lightning | $761K | |
| Landslide | $758K | |
| Hail | $414K | |
| Strong wind | $399K | |
| Winter weather | $190K | |
| Tornado | $186K | |
| Cold wave | $5K |
Homes in Ridgecrest
Older homes and mobile homes usually take more damage in storms, floods and earthquakes. Ask about roof age, flood history and retrofits before you buy or rent.
Strongest tornadoes in Kern County
More cities in Kern County
Other cities in California
All ›Common questions about Ridgecrest
Is Ridgecrest safe from natural disasters?
Ridgecrest is in Kern County, which FEMA's National Risk Index rates relatively high overall, higher than most of the US. The biggest hazards are earthquake, inland flooding, heat wave. No place is free of risk, so check the flood map and insurance for any home you consider.
What natural disasters happen in Ridgecrest?
By expected yearly losses in Kern County, the top hazards are earthquake (High), inland flooding (High), heat wave (High). Kern County has been part of 38 federal disaster or emergency declarations for natural events.
Does Ridgecrest get tornadoes?
Yes. NOAA records list 16 tornadoes in Kern County since 1950; the strongest was an F1 tornado on March 17, 1991. FEMA rates tornado risk in the county very low.
Do I need flood insurance in Ridgecrest?
Standard home insurance does not cover floods. In Kern County, about 1.1% of homes have federal flood insurance, and FEMA rates inland flooding risk high. Check the FEMA flood map for your address and get a quote even outside a high-risk zone.