Photo: Jey0h · CC BY 3.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Alhambra than in 93% of U.S. towns, mostly from earthquakes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Alhambra gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns, #446 of 847 in California. Most of that expected damage is earthquakes (59%), then river and rain flooding (41%). Flood insurance has paid 6 claims here since 1983.
Graded on FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value (NRI v1.20, December 2025), weighted by where residents live; flood claims are shown, not graded. How hazard risk is graded
What Alhambra faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Earthquakes
River and rain flooding
Shares are of FEMA’s expected building damage, the measure the grade uses; ranks compare each hazard’s building-damage rate with all 85,154 U.S. census tracts. In FEMA’s terms, river and rain flooding is FEMA’s “Inland Flooding” (rivers and streams overflowing their banks, or rain overwhelming drainage). FEMA defines coastal flooding as high or rising tides and storm surge, so surge damage is counted there. Drought isn’t listed: FEMA counts its losses in crops only.
What’s behind Alhambra’s grade
Earthquakes are 59% of the building damage FEMA expects in Alhambra, and Alhambra’s rate of earthquakes damage is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 41% (higher than 82% of U.S. census tracts).
D #446 of 847 in California; higher expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Alhambra’s residents live in 20 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical California town has higher expected damage than 92% of U.S. towns; within the state, Alhambra has more expected damage per building than 53% of California towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $48.4M a year in losses across Alhambra: $34.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Alhambra flood? Rarely: 6 flood claims since 1983
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Alhambra, from FEMA’s records: 0.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 98% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Alhambra isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Los Angeles County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Alhambra
Disasters that paid out in Alhambra itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Alhambra), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Wildfires and Straight-line Winds381 households applied for aid$59K aid approved$92K to the City of Alhambra for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms, Flooding, Debris Flows, and Mudslides36 households applied for aid$31K aid approved$46K to the City of Alhambra for repairs
- 2003Wildfires, Flooding, Mudflow and Debris Flow Directly Related T1 households applied for aid$799 aid approved
Los Angeles County has had 40 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then floods. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Also 44 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Los Angeles County, 2002–2025.
Old photos of Alhambra after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Alhambra archive →Alhambra and its neighbors
Alhambra has the lowest expected damage per building of the 6 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alhambra | Dmore damage than 93% | earthquakes | 6 |
| South Pasadena | Dmore damage than 93% | earthquakes | 8 |
| Monterey Park | Dmore damage than 94% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| San Marino | D−more damage than 96% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Los Angeles | D−more damage than 96% | earthquakes | 1,980 |
| San Gabriel | D−more damage than 98% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
Hazard risk = FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value, vs. the 21,298 U.S. towns we grade; the map is shaded by fifths of the same scale. Flood claims = paid federal flood insurance claims on record.
Get ready for what Alhambra faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- Turn around at flooded roads: a foot of moving water can carry off a car.
- Flood insurance usually takes 30 days to start, so buy it before the forecast.
- Keep papers and medicines up high, in a grab-and-go bag.
- Look up the address on FEMA’s flood map.
- Ask the seller or landlord whether it has ever flooded, and what flood insurance costs there.
- Get a flood insurance quote early: policies usually start 30 days after you buy.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Alhambra
Is Alhambra at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Alhambra has higher expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #446 of 847 in California. Most of the expected damage is earthquakes (59%) and river and rain flooding (41%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Alhambra flood?
Flood insurance has paid 6 claims in Alhambra since 1983, $17K in all, or 0.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 98% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Alhambra in a flood zone?
Flood zones are drawn street by street, so the answer depends on the address: look it up on FEMA’s flood map. In Los Angeles County, 33% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Alhambra?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Alhambra’s flood program. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Alhambra?
By FEMA money that reached Alhambra, Wildfires and Straight-line Winds (2025): 381 households applied for aid, $59K approved, and $92K to the City of Alhambra for repairs.
Is Alhambra at risk from earthquakes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (59%), and Alhambra’s rate for it is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Alhambra.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Alhambra’s residents lived in the 2020 census; OpenFEMA: NFIP redacted claims, multiple-loss properties, community status book and residential penetration rates, housing assistance (owners and renters), public assistance funded projects, hazard mitigation properties and disaster declarations. Homes: Census ACS 2020–24. Preparedness tips: Ready.gov. FEMA’s model is an average of expected damage, not a forecast. How hazard risk is graded.