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Redlands, California Flood Zones

Last updated: March 2026

Redlands faces flood risk from the Santa Ana River, Mill Creek, and San Timoteo Creek, which drain the surrounding San Bernardino Mountains. Post-wildfire debris flows from burn scars in the national forest amplify flood hazards during winter storms.

San Bernardino County has recorded 864 NFIP flood insurance claims since 1978, totaling $9.6M in payouts. Explore the full NFIP claims data by state and county to see how this area compares nationally.

FEMA Region

Region 9

NFIP Policies

2,872

San Bernardino County

Avg. Premium

$1,176/yr

San Bernardino County

FEMA Flood Risk Profile: San Bernardino County

Based on FEMA's National Risk Index, which evaluates flood risk at the county level using historical loss data, exposure, and vulnerability.

Inland Flood Risk

Very High

Est. annual loss: $959.6M

Social Vulnerability: Relatively Low
Community Resilience: Relatively Low

Source: FEMA National Risk Index, county-level assessment. Individual property risk may vary.

Federal Flood Disaster History: San Bernardino County

San Bernardino County has been included in 14 federal flood-related disaster declarations.

2023Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and MudslidesFlood
2023Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and MudslidesFlood
2011Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Debris and Mud FlowsFlood
1993Severe Winter Storm, Mud & Land Slides, & FloodingFlood
1992Rain/Snow/Wind Storms, Flooding, MudslidesFlood
1983Flash FloodingFlood
1983FloodingFlood
1983Coastal Storms, Floods, Slides & TornadoesCoastal Storm

...and 6 earlier declarations since 1965.

These declarations affected communities across San Bernardino County, including Redlands.

Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries API. Data sourced February 2026.

NFIP Flood Insurance Claims: San Bernardino County

Properties in San Bernardino County have filed 864 NFIP flood insurance claims totaling $9.6M in payouts since 1978. The average claim payout is $11K.

Highest-Claim Years

1980

110 claims - $742K

2005

79 claims - $903K

2010

59 claims - $1.0M

Claims by Flood Zone

Zone X
390(avg. $12K)
Zone A
229(avg. $9K)
Zone AO
81(avg. $22K)
Zone AE
57(avg. $7K)
Zone D
54(avg. $14K)

Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Claims API. Data sourced March 2026. See national claims data.

Active NFIP Policies: San Bernardino County

San Bernardino County currently has 2,872 active NFIP flood insurance policies with an average annual premium of $1,176, totaling $3.4M in annual premiums.

Average Annual Premium

San Bernardino County$1,176
National Average$915

Policies by Flood Zone

Zone AO
941(avg. $1,037/yr)
Zone X
801(avg. $1,023/yr)
Zone A
635(avg. $1,346/yr)
Zone AE
414(avg. $1,507/yr)
Zone D
68(avg. $1,114/yr)

Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Policies API. Data sourced March 2026.

Flood Insurance Coverage: San Bernardino County

An estimated 0.3% of households in San Bernardino County carry NFIP flood insurance. This county has elevated flood risk but very low insurance coverage, indicating a significant protection gap.

Penetration Rate

0.3%

Claims Ratio

1 in 3

policies have filed a claim

Avg. Claim Payout

$11,117

Derived from FEMA NRI population data and OpenFEMA NFIP policy/claims records.

Repetitive Loss Properties: San Bernardino County

San Bernardino County has 46 properties with multiple flood losses, including 3 severe repetitive loss properties.

Multiple Loss

46

Severe Rep. Loss

3

Mitigated

0

By Flood Zone

Zone A
17
Zone X
13
Zone AO
8
Zone D
6
Zone AE
2

Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Multiple Loss Properties. Data sourced March 2026.

Recorded Flood Events: SAN BERNARDINO County

NOAA has recorded 994 flood events in SAN BERNARDINO County since 1996, causing $313.0M in damage and 22 deaths.

Costliest Events

19-DEC-10Flood$97M
23-FEB-98Flash Flood$50M
25-AUG-13Flash Flood$40M
11-JAN-05Flash Flood$16M
21-JAN-10Flash Flood$16M

Events by Type

Flash Flood
835
Flood
159

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, 1996-2026. Data sourced March 2026.

Flood Mitigation: San Bernardino County

FEMA has funded mitigation for 1,103 properties in San Bernardino County, investing $394K in flood risk reduction.

By Action Type

Retrofit
1,073
Other
13
Other (Specify in Comments)
8
Floodproofing
7
Acquisition
2

Source: OpenFEMA Hazard Mitigation Assistance. Data sourced March 2026.

What Your Flood Zone Means in Redlands

Redlands faces multiple inland flood threats, including riverine flooding from nearby waterways and flash flooding from intense rainfall overwhelming urban drainage systems. Properties near river corridors face the highest risk, but stormwater backup can affect neighborhoods well outside the mapped floodplain. The most common FEMA flood zone designations in Redlands are Zone AE, Zone X. FEMA's National Risk Index estimates the county's annual expected loss from inland flooding at over $959.6M.

With both riverine and urban stormwater flood risk, insurance costs in Redlands depend heavily on a property's elevation relative to nearby waterways and the local drainage infrastructure. FEMA's Risk Rating 2.0 prices in multiple inland flood sources rather than relying on the flood zone line alone. If your property is in a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) and you have a federally regulated or government-backed mortgage, federal law generally requires your lender to ensure you carry flood insurance.

Flood zone boundaries in Redlands can shift when FEMA updates its Flood Insurance Studies or when upstream development changes how water moves through the watershed. New stormwater infrastructure or dam modifications can also trigger map revisions. Use our free lookup tool to check the current flood zone for any Redlands address.

Flood Insurance Discount: Redlands

Redlands participates in FEMA's Community Rating System (CRS), a voluntary program that rewards communities for flood mitigation efforts beyond minimum NFIP requirements. Residents in the Special Flood Hazard Area may qualify for reduced flood insurance premiums.

CRS Class

Class 7

SFHA Premium Discount

15% off

CRS classes range from 1 (best) to 10 (no discount). Redlands's Class 7 rating means NFIP policyholders in the SFHA can receive up to a 15% discount on their flood insurance premiums. Properties outside the SFHA may receive a 5% discount.

Source: FEMA Community Rating System, October 2025. Discounts apply to NFIP policies only.

Redlands, CA Flood Zone FAQ

What flood zones are in Redlands, CA?

The most common FEMA flood zones in Redlands are Zone AE, Zone X. Properties in these high-risk zones (SFHA) may require flood insurance with a federally regulated or government-backed mortgage.

Is flood insurance required in Redlands?

If your Redlands property is in a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) and you have a federally regulated or government-backed mortgage, federal law generally requires your lender to ensure you carry flood insurance. Properties in Zone X are not federally required to carry flood insurance, though coverage is still recommended since over 40% of all NFIP flood claims come from Zone X properties.

How do I check my flood zone in Redlands?

Enter your Redlands address in the search tool above for an instant flood zone determination. Results include your FEMA flood zone, SFHA status, base flood elevation (if available), and FIRM panel information, pulled directly from FEMA's National Flood Hazard Layer.

Does Redlands offer flood insurance discounts?

Yes. Redlands participates in FEMA's Community Rating System (CRS) with a Class 7 rating, qualifying residents in the Special Flood Hazard Area for up to a 15% discount on NFIP flood insurance premiums. Properties outside the SFHA may receive a 5% discount.

Has Redlands experienced major flooding events?

San Bernardino County, where Redlands is located, has been part of 14 federal disaster declarations for flooding, hurricanes, or severe storms. The most recent was Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides in 2023. Federal disaster declarations are issued when flooding overwhelms local resources and triggers FEMA assistance programs.

How many flood insurance claims have been filed in Redlands?

San Bernardino County has recorded 864 NFIP flood insurance claims totaling $9.6M in payouts since 1978. The year with the most claims was 1980, with 110 claims and $742K in payouts. These figures cover all NFIP claims in the county, including Redlands.

How many flood insurance policies are active in Redlands?

San Bernardino County currently has 2,872 active NFIP flood insurance policies with an average annual premium of $1,176. The most policies are in Zone AO (941 policies). These figures cover all active NFIP policies in the county.

How many Redlands properties have flooded repeatedly?

San Bernardino County has 46 properties with multiple flood losses on record, including 3 severe repetitive loss properties. These are properties that have experienced four or more NFIP claims of $5,000+ or two claims exceeding the building value.

Can my Redlands property be removed from a high-risk flood zone?

Yes, if your property's natural ground elevation is above the Base Flood Elevation and FEMA inadvertently mapped it in a high-risk zone, you can apply for a Letter of Map Amendment (LOMA). A successful LOMA removes the property from the Special Flood Hazard Area, generally eliminating the federal mandatory flood insurance requirement. You will need an elevation certificate from a licensed surveyor. If a property was raised above the BFE with fill material, the process is a LOMR-F rather than a LOMA.

What is Base Flood Elevation in Redlands?

Base Flood Elevation (BFE) is the predicted height of floodwaters during a 1% annual chance (100-year) flood, shown on FEMA maps as an elevation number in feet above sea level. In Redlands's Zone AE areas, BFE lines appear on the FIRM as wavy contours labeled with elevation values. Properties with a lowest floor at or above the BFE typically qualify for significantly lower NFIP flood insurance premiums.

Look Up Any Redlands, CA Address

Enter a Redlands, CA address to instantly check its FEMA flood zone designation, SFHA status, and insurance requirements.

Disclaimer: Flood risk data on this page is sourced from FEMA datasets including the National Risk Index, NFIP claims and policy records, disaster declarations, and the Community Rating System. These datasets were last extracted on March 2026 and may not reflect the most recent changes. This page is for informational purposes only and is not a certified flood zone determination. Always verify current flood zone status through FEMA or a licensed determination provider before making property, insurance, or lending decisions.