Photo: Abby Lanes · CC BY-SA 3.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Palos Verdes Estates than in 84% of U.S. towns, led by earthquakes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Palos Verdes Estates gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns, #214 of 847 in California. Most of that expected damage is earthquakes (50%), then river and rain flooding (50%). Flood insurance has paid 10 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 Palos Verdes Estates 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 Palos Verdes Estates’ grade
Earthquakes are 50% of the building damage FEMA expects in Palos Verdes Estates, and Palos Verdes Estates’ rate of earthquakes damage is in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 50% (higher than 69% of U.S. census tracts).
C− #214 of 847 in California; higher expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Palos Verdes Estates’ residents live in 3 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, Palos Verdes Estates has less expected damage per building than 75% of California towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $10.3M a year in losses across Palos Verdes Estates: $9.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Palos Verdes Estates flood? Sometimes: 10 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Palos Verdes Estates, from FEMA’s records: 1.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 64% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Pineapple Express - Southern1 claim · $13K
Palos Verdes Estates 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 Palos Verdes Estates
Disasters that paid out in Palos Verdes Estates itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Palos Verdes Estates), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2017Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides$14K to the City of Palos Verdes Estates for repairs
- 2005Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mud and Debris Flows$59K to the City of Palos Verdes Estates 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 Palos Verdes Estates after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Palos Verdes Estates archive →Palos Verdes Estates and its neighbors
Palos Verdes Estates is 3rd 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rolling Hills Estates | C−more damage than 81% | earthquakes | 2 |
| Rancho Palos Verdes | C−more damage than 82% | earthquakes | 5 |
| Palos Verdes Estates | C−more damage than 84% | earthquakes | 10 |
| Torrance | Dmore damage than 94% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
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 Palos Verdes Estates 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 Palos Verdes Estates
Is Palos Verdes Estates at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Palos Verdes Estates has higher expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #214 of 847 in California. Most of the expected damage is earthquakes (50%) and river and rain flooding (50%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Palos Verdes Estates flood?
Flood insurance has paid 10 claims in Palos Verdes Estates since 1980, $40K in all, or 1.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 64% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Pineapple Express - Southern (1).
Is Palos Verdes Estates 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 Palos Verdes Estates?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Palos Verdes Estates’ 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 Palos Verdes Estates?
By FEMA money that reached Palos Verdes Estates, Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mud and Debris Flows (2005): $59K to the City of Palos Verdes Estates for repairs. By flood claims, Pineapple Express - Southern: 1 paid, $13K.
Is Palos Verdes Estates at risk from earthquakes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (50%), and Palos Verdes Estates’ rate for it is in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Palos Verdes Estates.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Palos Verdes Estates’ 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.