Photo: The original uploader was Geographer at English Wikipedia. · CC BY 1.0On FEMA’s figures, Hacienda Heights faces more hazard damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns, mostly from earthquakes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hacienda Heights gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns, #466 of 847 in California. Most of that expected damage is earthquakes (50%), then river and rain flooding (49%). Flood insurance has paid 8 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 Hacienda Heights 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 Hacienda Heights’ grade
Earthquakes are 50% of the building damage FEMA expects in Hacienda Heights, and Hacienda Heights’ rate of earthquakes damage is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 49% (higher than 88% of U.S. census tracts).
D #466 of 847 in California; higher expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Hacienda Heights’ residents live in 16 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, Hacienda Heights has more expected damage per building than 55% of California towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $30.8M a year in losses across Hacienda Heights: $25.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Hacienda Heights flood? Rarely: 8 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Hacienda Heights, 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 Pineapple Express - Southern1 claim · $4K
- The February California Atmospheric River1 claim · $39K
Hacienda Heights 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.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Hacienda Heights
Disasters that paid out in Hacienda Heights itself (aid to households or repair grants to Hacienda Heights), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Wildfires and Straight-line Winds90 households applied for aid$50K aid approved
- 2004Severe Storms, Flooding, Debris Flows, and Mudslides23 households applied for aid$1K 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 Hacienda Heights after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Hacienda Heights archive →Hacienda Heights and its neighbors
Hacienda Heights is 4th of the 4 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 Habra Heights | Dmore damage than 89% | earthquakes | 1 |
| Rowland Heights | Dmore damage than 92% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Whittier | Dmore damage than 92% | earthquakes | 6 |
| Hacienda Heights | Dmore damage than 93% | earthquakes | 8 |
| Industry | — | 210 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 Hacienda Heights 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 Hacienda Heights
Is Hacienda Heights at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hacienda Heights has higher expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #466 of 847 in California. Most of the expected damage is earthquakes (50%) and river and rain flooding (49%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Hacienda Heights flood?
Flood insurance has paid 8 claims in Hacienda Heights since 1980, $59K in all, or 0.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 90% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Pineapple Express - Southern (1).
Is Hacienda Heights 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 Hacienda Heights?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Hacienda Heights’ 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 Hacienda Heights?
By FEMA money that reached Hacienda Heights, Wildfires and Straight-line Winds (2025): 90 households applied for aid, $50K approved. By flood claims, Pineapple Express - Southern: 1 paid, $4K.
Is Hacienda Heights at risk from earthquakes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (50%), and Hacienda Heights’ rate for it is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Hacienda Heights.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Hacienda Heights’ 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.