More hazard damage per building is expected in East San Gabriel than in 97% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, East San Gabriel gets a D− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns, #682 of 847 in California. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (57%), then earthquakes (43%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim 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 San Gabriel 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 East San Gabriel’s grade
River and rain flooding is 57% of the building damage FEMA expects in East San Gabriel, and East San Gabriel’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts. Earthquakes add 43%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
D− #682 of 847 in California; higher expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns (21,298).
East San Gabriel’s residents live in 6 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 San Gabriel has more expected damage per building than 80% of California towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $16.2M a year in losses across East San Gabriel: $13.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does East San Gabriel flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in East San Gabriel, from FEMA’s records: 0.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 99% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
East San Gabriel 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 San Gabriel remembers
None of the 40 disasters declared for Los Angeles County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching East San Gabriel itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 19801 flood claims paidThe year of Brush and Timber Fires, 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 San Gabriel after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the East San Gabriel archive →East San Gabriel and its neighbors
East San Gabriel is 4th of the 6 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 Pasadena | Dmore damage than 95% | earthquakes | — |
| Arcadia | D−more damage than 96% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| San Marino | D−more damage than 96% | river and rain flooding | — |
| East San Gabriel | D−more damage than 97% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Temple City | D−more damage than 98% | river and rain flooding | — |
| San Gabriel | D−more damage than 98% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
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 San Gabriel 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 East San Gabriel
Is East San Gabriel at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, East San Gabriel has higher expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk, #682 of 847 in California. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (57%) and earthquakes (43%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does East San Gabriel flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in East San Gabriel since 1980, $13K in all, or 0.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 99% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is East San Gabriel 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 San Gabriel?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for East San Gabriel’s flood program. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
Is East San Gabriel at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (57%), and East San Gabriel’s rate for it is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in East San Gabriel.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where East San Gabriel’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.