Golden Gate Theater · Photo: Los Angeles · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA puts East Los Angeles’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 93% of U.S. towns, mostly from earthquakes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, East Los Angeles gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns, #468 of 847 in California. Most of that expected damage is earthquakes (62%), then river and rain flooding (38%). Flood insurance has paid 6 claims here since 1980.
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 East Los Angeles 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 East Los Angeles’ grade
Earthquakes are 62% of the building damage FEMA expects in East Los Angeles, and East Los Angeles’ rate of earthquakes damage is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 38% (higher than 79% of U.S. census tracts).
D #468 of 847 in California; higher expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns (21,298).
East Los Angeles’ 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, East Los Angeles has more expected damage per building than 55% of California towns.
Among the 400 U.S. cities of 100,000 or more, East Los Angeles has higher expected damage per building than 89% (#355 of 400). Because it is so big, its total expected yearly loss, $48.8M, is the 251th largest of those 400.
Does East Los Angeles flood? Rarely: 6 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in East Los Angeles, from FEMA’s records: 0.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 97% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Pineapple Express - Southern1 claim · $2K
East Los Angeles 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.The storms East Los Angeles remembers
None of the 40 disasters declared for Los Angeles County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching East Los Angeles itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 19833 flood claims paidThe year of Coastal Storms, Floods, Slides and Tornadoes, declared for Los Angeles County
- 19802 flood claims paidThe year of Brush and Timber Fires, declared for Los Angeles County
- 19981 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Winter Storms and Flooding, declared for Los Angeles County
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 East Los Angeles after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the East Los Angeles archive →East Los Angeles and its neighbors
East Los Angeles 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Commerce | Dmore damage than 92% | earthquakes | 1 |
| East Los Angeles | Dmore damage than 93% | earthquakes | 6 |
| Montebello | Dmore damage than 94% | earthquakes | 2 |
| Monterey Park | Dmore damage than 94% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| 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 East Los Angeles 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 East Los Angeles
Is East Los Angeles at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, East Los Angeles has higher expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #468 of 847 in California. Most of the expected damage is earthquakes (62%) and river and rain flooding (38%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does East Los Angeles flood?
Flood insurance has paid 6 claims in East Los Angeles since 1980, $63K in all, or 0.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 97% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Pineapple Express - Southern (1).
Is East Los Angeles 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 East Los Angeles?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for East Los Angeles’ 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 East Los Angeles?
By flood claims, Pineapple Express - Southern: 1 paid, $2K.
Is East Los Angeles at risk from earthquakes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (62%), and East Los Angeles’ rate for it is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in East Los Angeles.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where East Los Angeles’ 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.