Photo: David Wakely · CC BY-SA 2.5On FEMA’s figures, Pasadena faces more hazard damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns, mostly from earthquakes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Pasadena gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns, #541 of 847 in California. Most of that expected damage is earthquakes (58%), then river and rain flooding (41%). Flood insurance has paid 31 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 Pasadena 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 Pasadena’s grade
Earthquakes are 58% of the building damage FEMA expects in Pasadena, and Pasadena’s rate of earthquakes damage is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts. Wildfire adds 1%, at a rate in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts.
D #541 of 847 in California; higher expected damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Pasadena’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, Pasadena has more expected damage per building than 64% of California towns.
Among the 400 U.S. cities of 100,000 or more, Pasadena has higher expected damage per building than 91% (#364 of 400). Because it is so big, its total expected yearly loss, $148M, is the 64th largest of those 400.
Does Pasadena flood? Sometimes: 31 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Pasadena, 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 - Southern2 claims · $9K
- The California Atmospheric River1 claim · $940
Pasadena 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.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Pasadena
Disasters that paid out in Pasadena itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Pasadena), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Wildfires and Straight-line Winds15,616 households applied for aid$17.3M aid approved$567K to the City of Pasadena for repairs
- 2023Severe Winter Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$229K to the City of Pasadena for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2020Wildfires51 households applied for aid$14K aid approved
- 2010Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Debris and Mud Flows$212K to the City of Pasadena for repairs
- 2008Wildfires8 households applied for aid$690 aid approved
- 2005Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mud and Debris Flows$1.1M to the City of Pasadena for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
Show all 8
- 2004Severe Storms, Flooding, Debris Flows, and Mudslides480 households applied for aid$377K aid approved$710K to the City of Pasadena for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2003Wildfires, Flooding, Mudflow and Debris Flow Directly Related T36 households applied for aid$3K 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 Pasadena after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Pasadena archive →Pasadena and its neighbors
Pasadena is 3rd of the 10 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Pasadena | Dmore damage than 93% | earthquakes | 8 |
| La Cañada Flintridge | Dmore damage than 95% | river and rain flooding | 13 |
| Pasadena | Dmore damage than 95% | earthquakes | 31 |
| East Pasadena | Dmore damage than 95% | earthquakes | — |
| Altadena | D−more damage than 96% | river and rain flooding | 14 |
| Glendale | D−more damage than 96% | river and rain flooding | 36 |
| San Marino | D−more damage than 96% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Sierra Madre | D−more damage than 96% | earthquakes | 16 |
| Los Angeles | D−more damage than 96% | earthquakes | 1,980 |
| San Pasqual | D−more damage than 97% | river and rain flooding | — |
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 Pasadena 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 Pasadena
Is Pasadena at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Pasadena has higher expected damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #541 of 847 in California. Most of the expected damage is earthquakes (58%) and river and rain flooding (41%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Pasadena flood?
Flood insurance has paid 31 claims in Pasadena since 1978, $216K in all, or 0.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 90% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 3 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Pineapple Express - Southern (2).
Is Pasadena 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 Pasadena?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Pasadena’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 Pasadena?
By FEMA money that reached Pasadena, Wildfires and Straight-line Winds (2025): 15,616 households applied for aid, $17.3M approved, and $567K to the City of Pasadena for repairs. By flood claims, Pineapple Express - Southern: 2 paid, $9K.
Is Pasadena at risk from earthquakes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (58%), and Pasadena’s rate for it is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Pasadena.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Pasadena’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.