US Post Office-Burbank Downtown Station · Photo: Minnaert · CC BY-SA 3.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Burbank than in 96% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Burbank gets a D− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns, #637 of 847 in California. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (56%), then earthquakes (42%). Flood insurance has paid 20 claims here since 1978.
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 Burbank faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
River and rain flooding
Earthquakes
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 Burbank’s grade
River and rain flooding is 56% of the building damage FEMA expects in Burbank, and Burbank’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts. Earthquakes add 42%, at a rate in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
D− #637 of 847 in California; higher expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Burbank’s residents live in 26 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, Burbank has more expected damage per building than 75% of California towns.
Among the 400 U.S. cities of 100,000 or more, Burbank has higher expected damage per building than 94% (#378 of 400). Because it is so big, its total expected yearly loss, $109M, is the 103th largest of those 400.
Does Burbank flood? Sometimes: 20 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Burbank, from FEMA’s records: 0.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 91% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Mid-Winter California Flooding4 claims · $113K
- The Pineapple Express - Southern1 claim · $554
- The February California Atmospheric River1 claim · $4K
Burbank 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.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Burbank
Disasters that paid out in Burbank itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Burbank), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Wildfires and Straight-line Winds1,319 households applied for aid$264K aid approved$408K to the City of Burbank for repairs
- 2020Wildfires31 households applied for aid$4K aid approved
- 2005Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mud and Debris Flows$14K to the City of Burbank for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms, Flooding, Debris Flows, and Mudslides52 households applied for aid$29K aid approved$258K to the City of Burbank for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2003Wildfires, Flooding, Mudflow and Debris Flow Directly Related T3 households applied for aid$43K to the City of Burbank 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 Burbank after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Burbank archive →Burbank and its neighbors
Burbank is 2nd of the 3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Glendale | D−more damage than 96% | river and rain flooding | 36 |
| Burbank | D−more damage than 96% | river and rain flooding | 20 |
| Los Angeles | D−more damage than 96% | earthquakes | 1,980 |
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 Burbank faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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 Burbank
Is Burbank at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Burbank has higher expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk, #637 of 847 in California. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (56%) and earthquakes (42%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Burbank flood?
Flood insurance has paid 20 claims in Burbank since 1978, $144K in all, or 0.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 91% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Mid-Winter California Flooding (4).
Is Burbank 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 Burbank?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Burbank’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 Burbank?
By FEMA money that reached Burbank, Wildfires and Straight-line Winds (2025): 1,319 households applied for aid, $264K approved, and $408K to the City of Burbank for repairs. By flood claims, Mid-Winter California Flooding: 4 paid, $113K.
Is Burbank at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (56%), and Burbank’s rate for it is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Burbank.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Burbank’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.