Photo: Quintin Soloviev · CC BY 4.0FEMA puts Glendale’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 96% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Glendale gets a D− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns, #626 of 847 in California. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (56%), then earthquakes (43%). Flood insurance has paid 36 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 stands out about Glendale’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Glendale 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 Glendale’s grade
River and rain flooding is 56% of the building damage FEMA expects in Glendale, and Glendale’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts. Earthquakes add 43%, at a rate in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
D− #626 of 847 in California; higher expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Glendale’s residents live in 42 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, Glendale has more expected damage per building than 74% of California towns.
Among the 400 U.S. cities of 100,000 or more, Glendale has higher expected damage per building than 94% (#376 of 400). Because it is so big, its total expected yearly loss, $159M, is the 57th largest of those 400.
Does Glendale flood? Sometimes: 36 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Glendale, from FEMA’s records: 0.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 90% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The California Atmospheric River1 claim · $5K
- The Pineapple Express - Southern1 claim · $4K
Glendale 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 Glendale
Disasters that paid out in Glendale itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Glendale), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Wildfires and Straight-line Winds5,758 households applied for aid$4.8M aid approved$172K to the City of Glendale for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2022Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$340K to the City of Glendale for repairs
- 2010Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Debris and Mud Flows$161K to the City of Glendale for repairs
- 2005Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mud and Debris Flows$628K to the City of Glendale for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms, Flooding, Debris Flows, and Mudslides268 households applied for aid$336K aid approved$3.2M to the City of Glendale for repairs
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 Glendale after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Glendale archive →Glendale and its neighbors
Glendale 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| La Crescenta-Montrose | Dmore damage than 91% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
| La Cañada Flintridge | Dmore damage than 95% | river and rain flooding | 13 |
| Pasadena | Dmore damage than 95% | earthquakes | 31 |
| Glendale | D−more damage than 96% | river and rain flooding | 36 |
| Burbank | D−more damage than 96% | river and rain flooding | 20 |
| 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 Glendale 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 Glendale
Is Glendale at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Glendale has higher expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk, #626 of 847 in California. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (56%) and earthquakes (43%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Glendale flood?
Flood insurance has paid 36 claims in Glendale since 1978, $405K in all, or 0.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 90% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 3 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from California Atmospheric River (1).
Is Glendale 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 Glendale?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Glendale’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 Glendale?
By FEMA money that reached Glendale, Wildfires and Straight-line Winds (2025): 5,758 households applied for aid, $4.8M approved, and $172K to the City of Glendale for repairs. By flood claims, California Atmospheric River: 1 paid, $5K.
Is Glendale at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (56%), and Glendale’s rate for it is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Glendale.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Glendale’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.