FEMA puts Palmdale’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 93% of U.S. towns, mostly from earthquakes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Palmdale gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns, #452 of 847 in California. Most of that expected damage is earthquakes (57%), then river and rain flooding (42%). Flood insurance has paid 10 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 Palmdale 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 Palmdale’s grade
Earthquakes are 57% of the building damage FEMA expects in Palmdale, and Palmdale’s rate of earthquakes damage is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 42% (higher than 82% of U.S. census tracts).
D #452 of 847 in California; higher expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Palmdale’s residents live in 38 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, Palmdale has more expected damage per building than 53% of California towns.
Among the 400 U.S. cities of 100,000 or more, Palmdale has higher expected damage per building than 88% (#353 of 400). Because it is so big, its total expected yearly loss, $86.3M, is the 138th largest of those 400.
Does Palmdale flood? Sometimes: 10 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Palmdale, from FEMA’s records: 0.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 97% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Pineapple Express - Southern1 claim · $4K
Palmdale 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 Palmdale
Disasters that paid out in Palmdale itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Palmdale), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Wildfires and Straight-line Winds522 households applied for aid$326K aid approved
- 2020Wildfires71 households applied for aid$37K aid approved
- 2005Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mud and Debris Flows$98K to the City of Palmdale for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms, Flooding, Debris Flows, and Mudslides229 households applied for aid$93K aid approved$1.5M to the City of Palmdale for repairs
- 2003Wildfires, Flooding, Mudflow and Debris Flow Directly Related T234 households applied for aid$53K 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 Palmdale after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Palmdale archive →Palmdale and its neighbors
Palmdale is 3rd of the 7 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lancaster | Dmore damage than 92% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Quartz Hill | Dmore damage than 93% | earthquakes | 14 |
| Palmdale | Dmore damage than 93% | earthquakes | 10 |
| Sun Village | Dmore damage than 95% | earthquakes | — |
| Littlerock | D−more damage than 97% | earthquakes | — |
| Acton | D−among the highest damage | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Leona Valley | D−among the highest damage | wildfire | — |
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 Palmdale 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 Palmdale
Is Palmdale at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Palmdale has higher expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #452 of 847 in California. Most of the expected damage is earthquakes (57%) and river and rain flooding (42%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Palmdale flood?
Flood insurance has paid 10 claims in Palmdale since 1978, $398K in all, or 0.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 97% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Pineapple Express - Southern (1).
Is Palmdale 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 Palmdale?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Palmdale’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 Palmdale?
By FEMA money that reached Palmdale, Severe Storms, Flooding, Debris Flows, and Mudslides (2004): 229 households applied for aid, $93K approved, and $1.5M to the City of Palmdale for repairs. By flood claims, Pineapple Express - Southern: 1 paid, $4K.
Is Palmdale at risk from earthquakes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (57%), and Palmdale’s rate for it is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Palmdale.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Palmdale’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.