Photo: Epolk at English Wikipedia · CC BY 3.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Compton than in 95% of U.S. towns, mostly from earthquakes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Compton gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns, #553 of 847 in California. Most of that expected damage is earthquakes (54%), then river and rain flooding (46%). Flood insurance has paid 8 claims here since 2003.
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 Compton 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 Compton’s grade
Earthquakes are 54% of the building damage FEMA expects in Compton, and Compton’s rate of earthquakes damage is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts. River and rain flooding adds 46%, at a rate in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
D #553 of 847 in California; higher expected damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Compton’s residents live in 29 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, Compton has more expected damage per building than 65% of California towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $52.7M a year in losses across Compton: $40.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Compton flood? Rarely: 8 flood claims since 2003
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Compton, from FEMA’s records: 0.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 94% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Compton 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 Compton
Disasters that paid out in Compton itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Compton), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Wildfires and Straight-line Winds594 households applied for aid$50K aid approved
- 2022Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$62K to the City of Compton for repairs
- 2008Wildfires78 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
- 2004Severe Storms, Flooding, Debris Flows, and Mudslides1,363 households applied for aid$614K aid approved$20K to the City of Compton for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2003Wildfires, Flooding, Mudflow and Debris Flow Directly Related T1,732 households applied for aid$649K aid approved7 flood claims paid that year
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 Compton after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Compton archive →Compton and its neighbors
Compton is 6th of the 8 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| East Rancho Dominguez | Dmore damage than 86% | earthquakes | — |
| Lynwood | Dmore damage than 88% | earthquakes | 12 |
| Carson | Dmore damage than 92% | earthquakes | 21 |
| Paramount | Dmore damage than 92% | earthquakes | 5 |
| 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 |
| Willowbrook | D−more damage than 98% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
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 Compton 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 Compton
Is Compton at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Compton has higher expected damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #553 of 847 in California. Most of the expected damage is earthquakes (54%) and river and rain flooding (46%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Compton flood?
Flood insurance has paid 8 claims in Compton since 2003, $140K in all, or 0.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 94% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Compton 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 Compton?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Compton’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 Compton?
By FEMA money that reached Compton, Wildfires, Flooding, Mudflow and Debris Flow Directly Related T (2003): 1,732 households applied for aid, $649K approved.
Is Compton at risk from earthquakes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (54%), and Compton’s rate for it is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Compton.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Compton’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.