Photo: The Front Page Online · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Carson faces more hazard damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns, mostly from earthquakes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Carson gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns, #384 of 847 in California. Most of that expected damage is earthquakes (62%), then river and rain flooding (37%). Flood insurance has paid 21 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 Carson 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 Carson’s grade
Earthquakes are 62% of the building damage FEMA expects in Carson, and Carson’s rate of earthquakes damage is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 37% (higher than 83% of U.S. census tracts).
D #384 of 847 in California; higher expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Carson’s residents live in 23 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, Carson has less expected damage per building than 55% of California towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $80.0M a year in losses across Carson: $67.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Carson flood? Sometimes: 21 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Carson, from FEMA’s records: 0.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 84% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Pineapple Express - Southern4 claims · $14K
Carson 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.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Carson
Disasters that paid out in Carson itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Carson), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Wildfires and Straight-line Winds324 households applied for aid$213K aid approved
- 2020Wildfires20 households applied for aid$1K aid approved
- 2010Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Debris and Mud Flows$32K to the City of Carson for repairs
- 2008Wildfires7 households applied for aid$300 aid approved
- 2005Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mud and Debris Flows$13K to the City of Carson for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms, Flooding, Debris Flows, and Mudslides230 households applied for aid$86K aid approved$21K to the City of Carson for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Show all 7
- 2003Wildfires, Flooding, Mudflow and Debris Flow Directly Related T128 households applied for aid$22K 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 Carson after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Carson archive →Carson and its neighbors
Carson 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carson | Dmore damage than 92% | earthquakes | 21 |
| West Rancho Dominguez | Dmore damage than 93% | earthquakes | 1 |
| Compton | Dmore damage than 95% | earthquakes | 8 |
| Long Beach | D−more damage than 95% | river and rain flooding | 195 |
| West Carson | D−more damage than 95% | river and rain flooding | — |
| 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 Carson 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 Carson
Is Carson at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Carson has higher expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #384 of 847 in California. Most of the expected damage is earthquakes (62%) and river and rain flooding (37%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Carson flood?
Flood insurance has paid 21 claims in Carson since 1978, $72K in all, or 0.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 84% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Pineapple Express - Southern (4).
Is Carson 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 Carson?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Carson’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 Carson?
By FEMA money that reached Carson, Wildfires and Straight-line Winds (2025): 324 households applied for aid, $213K approved. By flood claims, Pineapple Express - Southern: 4 paid, $14K.
Is Carson at risk from earthquakes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (62%), and Carson’s rate for it is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Carson.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Carson’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.