Photo: Tracie Hall from Orange County, us · CC BY-SA 2.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Lomita than in 93% of U.S. towns, mostly from earthquakes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lomita gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns, #436 of 847 in California. Most of that expected damage is earthquakes (50%), then river and rain flooding (49%). Flood insurance has paid 3 claims here since 2017.
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 Lomita 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 Lomita’s grade
Earthquakes are 50% of the building damage FEMA expects in Lomita, and Lomita’s rate of earthquakes damage is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 49% (higher than 86% of U.S. census tracts).
D #436 of 847 in California; higher expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Lomita’s residents live in 5 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, Lomita has more expected damage per building than 51% of California towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $11.1M a year in losses across Lomita: $8.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Lomita flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 2017
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Lomita, from FEMA’s records: 0.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 93% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The California Atmospheric River1 claim · $8K
Lomita 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 Lomita
Disasters that paid out in Lomita itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Lomita), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Wildfires and Straight-line Winds58 households applied for aid$33K aid approved
- 2004Severe Storms, Flooding, Debris Flows, and Mudslides16 households applied for aid$2K aid approved$10K to the City of Lomita for repairs
- 2003Wildfires, Flooding, Mudflow and Debris Flow Directly Related T34 households applied for aid$11K 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 Lomita after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Lomita archive →Lomita and its neighbors
Lomita is 3rd 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rolling Hills Estates | C−more damage than 81% | earthquakes | 2 |
| Rancho Palos Verdes | C−more damage than 82% | earthquakes | 5 |
| Lomita | Dmore damage than 93% | earthquakes | 3 |
| Torrance | Dmore damage than 94% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| 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 Lomita 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 Lomita
Is Lomita at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lomita has higher expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #436 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 Lomita flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in Lomita since 2017, $22K in all, or 0.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 93% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from California Atmospheric River (1).
Is Lomita 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 Lomita?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Lomita’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 Lomita?
By FEMA money that reached Lomita, Wildfires and Straight-line Winds (2025): 58 households applied for aid, $33K approved. By flood claims, California Atmospheric River: 1 paid, $8K.
Is Lomita at risk from earthquakes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (50%), and Lomita’s rate for it is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Lomita.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Lomita’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.