Photo: Funhistory at English Wikipedia · Public domainMore hazard damage per building is expected in Redondo Beach than in 94% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Redondo Beach gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns, #479 of 847 in California. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (59%), then earthquakes (41%). Flood insurance has paid 26 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 Redondo 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 Redondo Beach’s grade
River and rain flooding is 59% of the building damage FEMA expects in Redondo Beach, and Redondo Beach’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts. Earthquakes add 41%, at a rate in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
D #479 of 847 in California; higher expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Redondo Beach’s residents live in 14 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, Redondo Beach has more expected damage per building than 57% of California towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $49.5M a year in losses across Redondo Beach: $43.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Redondo Beach flood? Sometimes: 26 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Redondo Beach, from FEMA’s records: 0.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 82% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Pineapple Express - Southern3 claims · $1K
- Tropical Storm Hilary1 claim · $26K
Redondo 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 Redondo Beach
Disasters that paid out in Redondo Beach itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Redondo Beach), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Wildfires and Straight-line Winds168 households applied for aid$36K aid approved
- 2005Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mud and Debris Flows$23K to the City of Redondo Beach for repairs4 flood claims paid that year
- 2004Severe Storms, Flooding, Debris Flows, and Mudslides15 households applied for aid$10K aid approved
- 2003Wildfires, Flooding, Mudflow and Debris Flow Directly Related T3 households applied for aid$4K 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 Redondo Beach after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Redondo Beach archive →Redondo Beach and its neighbors
Redondo Beach is 3rd of the 5 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 |
| Torrance | Dmore damage than 94% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Lawndale | D−more damage than 98% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
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 Redondo 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 Redondo Beach
Is Redondo Beach at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Redondo Beach has higher expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #479 of 847 in California. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (59%) and earthquakes (41%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Redondo Beach flood?
Flood insurance has paid 26 claims in Redondo Beach since 1980, $1.2M in all, or 0.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 82% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 3 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Pineapple Express - Southern (3).
Is Redondo 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 Redondo Beach?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Redondo 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 Redondo Beach?
By FEMA money that reached Redondo Beach, Wildfires and Straight-line Winds (2025): 168 households applied for aid, $36K approved. By flood claims, Pineapple Express - Southern: 3 paid, $1K.
Is Redondo Beach at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (59%), and Redondo Beach’s rate for it is in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Redondo Beach.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Redondo 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.