On FEMA’s figures, Baldwin Park faces more hazard damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns, mostly from earthquakes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Baldwin Park gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns, #265 of 847 in California. Most of that expected damage is earthquakes (66%), then river and rain flooding (34%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 1998.
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 Baldwin Park 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 Baldwin Park’s grade
Earthquakes are 66% of the building damage FEMA expects in Baldwin Park, and Baldwin Park’s rate of earthquakes damage is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 34% (higher than 52% of U.S. census tracts).
D #265 of 847 in California; higher expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Baldwin Park’s residents live in 19 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, Baldwin Park has less expected damage per building than 69% of California towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $23.7M a year in losses across Baldwin Park: $17.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Baldwin Park flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 1998
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Baldwin Park, from FEMA’s records: 0.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 99% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Pineapple Express - Southern1 claim · $1K
Baldwin Park 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.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Baldwin Park
Disasters that paid out in Baldwin Park itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Baldwin Park), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Wildfires and Straight-line Winds160 households applied for aid$52K aid approved$16K to the City of Baldwin Park for repairs
- 2017Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides$10K to the City of Baldwin Park for repairs
- 2010Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Debris and Mud Flows$10K to the City of Baldwin Park for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms, Flooding, Debris Flows, and Mudslides15 households applied for aid$11K aid approved$2K to the City of Baldwin Park for repairs
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 Baldwin Park after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Baldwin Park archive →Baldwin Park and its neighbors
Baldwin Park is 2nd of the 5 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Irwindale | Dmore damage than 88% | earthquakes | — |
| Baldwin Park | Dmore damage than 88% | earthquakes | 2 |
| West Covina | Dmore damage than 92% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| West Puente Valley | Dmore damage than 94% | earthquakes | — |
| El Monte | D−more damage than 96% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Industry | — | 210 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 Baldwin Park 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 Baldwin Park
Is Baldwin Park at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Baldwin Park has higher expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #265 of 847 in California. Most of the expected damage is earthquakes (66%) and river and rain flooding (34%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Baldwin Park flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Baldwin Park since 1998, $48K in all, or 0.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 99% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Pineapple Express - Southern (1).
Is Baldwin Park 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 Baldwin Park?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Baldwin Park’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 Baldwin Park?
By FEMA money that reached Baldwin Park, Wildfires and Straight-line Winds (2025): 160 households applied for aid, $52K approved, and $16K to the City of Baldwin Park for repairs. By flood claims, Pineapple Express - Southern: 1 paid, $1K.
Is Baldwin Park at risk from earthquakes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (66%), and Baldwin Park’s rate for it is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Baldwin Park.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Baldwin Park’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.