Natural Disaster Risk in Big Bear Lake
California
Risk Summary for Big Bear Lake
Big Bear Lake scores 7.2/10 (High risk), above the U.S. average of 4.5. The leading hazard is Earthquake.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Scores
How it compares
Live Conditions
🏠 What this means for insurance
Above-average risk — check your policy limits
Standard homeowners insurance may not fully cover all hazards rated highly in this area. Verify that your policy includes adequate coverage for the top local hazards, and ask your insurer about specific endorsements or separate policies (e.g., flood, earthquake).
This is general information only. Consult a licensed insurance professional for advice specific to your property.
Natural Hazard Profile: Big Bear Lake, California
Big Bear Lake, in San Bernardino County, is a town of roughly 5,215 residents situated in the southwestern United States with Pacific Coast influence. Its Mediterranean climate brings dry summers and mild, wet winters with pronounced drought cycles, and in particular a critical fire season from late summer through fall. These conditions collectively define the natural hazard environment that Big Bear Lake residents and property owners must navigate.
According to FEMA's National Risk Index, Big Bear Lake carries an overall risk score of 7.2/10, placing it in the high category. Seismic activity is the dominant hazard, with the community situated in or near an active tectonic zone capable of producing damaging ground shaking. The area also faces notable exposure to landslide and wildfire.
Within California, Big Bear Lake's risk is, slightly above the 5.9/10 state average. Nationally, it ranks well above the U.S. national average of 4.5/10. FEMA's analysis of San Bernardino County identifies earthquake as the foremost hazard, followed by landslide and wildfire. These rankings reflect the relative frequency and severity of each hazard type in the local environment.
With a high natural disaster risk rating, Big Bear Lake residents benefit from taking preparedness seriously. Reviewing insurance coverage for earthquake and secondary hazards, registering for emergency alerts, and maintaining a household emergency kit are practical steps that can significantly reduce impact during a major event.
What this means for Big Bear Lake: Earthquake preparedness
- Identify "drop, cover, and hold on" spots in each room and keep an emergency kit with water for at least 72 hours.
- Standard homeowners insurance excludes earthquake damage — a separate earthquake policy or endorsement is needed.
- Secure heavy furniture, water heaters, and shelving to wall studs to reduce injury and damage during shaking.
Local Factors for Big Bear Lake
These city-level factors differentiate Big Bear Lake from other communities in San Bernardino County and provide geographic context for its hazard exposure.
Population
5,215
Small TownGeographic Zone
Pacific Coast
Tsunami, coastal flood & wildfire risk
Climate Band
Mild Temperate
Latitude 34.2°
Flood Terrain
Minimal — county topography limits flood risk
Flood score: 1.0/10
Wildfire Exposure
High — long dry fire season
Fire score: 10.0/10
Coordinates
34.2201° N, 116.9530° W
San Bernardino County
Population and coordinates from SimpleMaps US Cities data. Hazard scores from FEMA National Risk Index. Geographic classification derived from coordinates.
Recent Climate Data for Big Bear Lake
Last 12 months · Source: Open-Meteo archive
Notable Weather Days (last 12 months)
ZIP Codes in Big Bear Lake
Other cities in California
Data source: FEMA National Risk Index (NRI). Scores normalized to 1–10 across all US counties. City scores inherit county-level FEMA data. For informational purposes only.