Photo: Evanthomas1 at English Wikipedia · Public domainFEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Manhattan Beach than in 90% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Manhattan Beach gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns, #334 of 847 in California. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (53%), then earthquakes (47%). Flood insurance has paid 12 claims here since 1997.
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 Manhattan Beach 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 Manhattan Beach’s grade
River and rain flooding is 53% of the building damage FEMA expects in Manhattan Beach, and Manhattan Beach’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 84% of U.S. census tracts. Earthquakes add 47%, at a rate in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
D #334 of 847 in California; higher expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Manhattan Beach’s residents live in 9 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, Manhattan Beach has less expected damage per building than 61% of California towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $28.5M a year in losses across Manhattan Beach: $24.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Manhattan Beach flood? Sometimes: 12 flood claims since 1997
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Manhattan Beach, from FEMA’s records: 0.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 83% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Pineapple Express - Southern7 claims · $40K
Manhattan Beach 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.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Manhattan Beach
Disasters that paid out in Manhattan Beach itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Manhattan Beach), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Wildfires and Straight-line Winds59 households applied for aid$172 aid approved
- 2017Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides$35K to the City of Manhattan Beach for repairs
- 2005Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mud and Debris Flows$1K to the City of Manhattan Beach for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms, Flooding, Debris Flows, and Mudslides1 households applied for aid$3K aid approved$41K to the City of Manhattan Beach for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
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 Manhattan Beach after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Manhattan Beach archive →Manhattan Beach and its neighbors
Manhattan Beach is 2nd 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hermosa Beach | Dmore damage than 88% | earthquakes | 5 |
| Manhattan Beach | Dmore damage than 90% | river and rain flooding | 12 |
| Redondo Beach | Dmore damage than 94% | river and rain flooding | 26 |
| El Segundo | D−more damage than 95% | earthquakes | 3 |
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 Manhattan Beach 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 Manhattan Beach
Is Manhattan Beach at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Manhattan Beach has higher expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #334 of 847 in California. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (53%) and earthquakes (47%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Manhattan Beach flood?
Flood insurance has paid 12 claims in Manhattan Beach since 1997, $135K in all, or 0.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 83% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Pineapple Express - Southern (7).
Is Manhattan Beach 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 Manhattan Beach?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Manhattan Beach’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 Manhattan Beach?
By FEMA money that reached Manhattan Beach, Severe Storms, Flooding, Debris Flows, and Mudslides (2004): 1 households applied for aid, $3K approved, and $41K to the City of Manhattan Beach for repairs. By flood claims, Pineapple Express - Southern: 7 paid, $40K.
Is Manhattan Beach at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (53%), and Manhattan Beach’s rate for it is higher than 84% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Manhattan Beach.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Manhattan Beach’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.