James C. Rives House · Photo: Floatjon · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Downey than in 89% of U.S. towns, mostly from earthquakes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Downey gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns, #294 of 847 in California. Most of that expected damage is earthquakes (72%), then river and rain flooding (28%). Flood insurance has paid 6 claims here since 2001.
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 Downey 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 Downey’s grade
Earthquakes are 72% of the building damage FEMA expects in Downey, and Downey’s rate of earthquakes damage is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 28% (lower than 54% of U.S. census tracts).
D #294 of 847 in California; higher expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Downey’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, Downey has less expected damage per building than 65% of California towns.
Among the 400 U.S. cities of 100,000 or more, Downey has higher expected damage per building than 81% (#326 of 400). Because it is so big, its total expected yearly loss, $56.2M, is the 220th largest of those 400.
Does Downey flood? Rarely: 6 flood claims since 2001
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Downey, 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.
- The February California Atmospheric River1 claim · $365K
- The Winter storm1 claim · $72K
Downey 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 Downey
Disasters that paid out in Downey itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Downey), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Wildfires and Straight-line Winds244 households applied for aid$99K aid approved
- 2004Severe Storms, Flooding, Debris Flows, and Mudslides23 households applied for aid$21K aid approved
- 2003Wildfires, Flooding, Mudflow and Debris Flow Directly Related T51 households applied for aid$9K 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 Downey after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Downey archive →Downey and its neighbors
Downey has the lowest expected damage per building of the 9 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Downey | Dmore damage than 89% | earthquakes | 6 |
| South Gate | Dmore damage than 90% | earthquakes | 2 |
| Pico Rivera | Dmore damage than 91% | earthquakes | 5 |
| Bellflower | Dmore damage than 92% | earthquakes | 5 |
| Paramount | Dmore damage than 92% | earthquakes | 5 |
| Bell Gardens | Dmore damage than 92% | earthquakes | — |
| Commerce | Dmore damage than 92% | earthquakes | 1 |
| Norwalk | Dmore damage than 94% | earthquakes | 2 |
| Santa Fe Springs | Dmore damage than 94% | earthquakes | — |
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 Downey 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 Downey
Is Downey at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Downey has higher expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #294 of 847 in California. Most of the expected damage is earthquakes (72%) and river and rain flooding (28%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Downey flood?
Flood insurance has paid 6 claims in Downey since 2001, $502K in all, or 0.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 98% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from February California Atmospheric River (1).
Is Downey 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 Downey?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Downey’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 Downey?
By FEMA money that reached Downey, Wildfires and Straight-line Winds (2025): 244 households applied for aid, $99K approved. By flood claims, February California Atmospheric River: 1 paid, $365K.
Is Downey at risk from earthquakes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (72%), and Downey’s rate for it is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Downey.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Downey’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.