Photo: ShticktatorTal · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Quartz Hill than in 93% of U.S. towns, mostly from earthquakes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Quartz Hill 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 (55%), then river and rain flooding (44%). Flood insurance has paid 14 claims here since 1992.
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 Quartz Hill 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 Quartz Hill’s grade
Earthquakes are 55% of the building damage FEMA expects in Quartz Hill, and Quartz Hill’s rate of earthquakes damage is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 44% (higher than 82% of U.S. census tracts).
D #436 of 847 in California; higher expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Quartz Hill’s residents live in 4 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, Quartz Hill has more expected damage per building than 51% of California towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $6.4M a year in losses across Quartz Hill: $5.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Quartz Hill flood? Sometimes: 14 flood claims since 1992
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Quartz Hill, from FEMA’s records: 3.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 50% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Pineapple Express - Southern1 claim · $5K
- Tropical Storm Hilary1 claim · $93K
Quartz Hill 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.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Quartz Hill
Disasters that paid out in Quartz Hill itself (aid to households or repair grants to Quartz Hill), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2004Severe Storms, Flooding, Debris Flows, and Mudslides9 households applied for aid$14K aid approved3 flood claims 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 Quartz Hill after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Quartz Hill archive →Quartz Hill and its neighbors
Quartz Hill is 2nd of the 3 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
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 Quartz Hill 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 Quartz Hill
Is Quartz Hill at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Quartz Hill 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 (55%) and river and rain flooding (44%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Quartz Hill flood?
Flood insurance has paid 14 claims in Quartz Hill since 1992, $314K in all, or 3.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 50% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Pineapple Express - Southern (1).
Is Quartz Hill 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 Quartz Hill?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Quartz Hill’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 Quartz Hill?
By FEMA money that reached Quartz Hill, Severe Storms, Flooding, Debris Flows, and Mudslides (2004): 9 households applied for aid, $14K approved. By flood claims, Pineapple Express - Southern: 1 paid, $5K.
Is Quartz Hill at risk from earthquakes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (55%), and Quartz Hill’s rate for it is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Quartz Hill.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Quartz Hill’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.