Photo: Clotee Allochuku · CC BY 2.0FEMA puts Rolling Hills Estates’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 81% of U.S. towns, mostly from earthquakes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Rolling Hills Estates gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns, #184 of 847 in California. Most of that expected damage is earthquakes (56%), then river and rain flooding (44%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 1997.
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 Rolling Hills 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 Rolling Hills Estates’ grade
Earthquakes are 56% of the building damage FEMA expects in Rolling Hills Estates, and Rolling Hills Estates’ rate of earthquakes damage is in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 44% (higher than 55% of U.S. census tracts).
C− #184 of 847 in California; higher expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Rolling Hills Estates’ residents live in 6 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, Rolling Hills Estates has less expected damage per building than 78% of California towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.9M a year in losses across Rolling Hills Estates: $4.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Rolling Hills Estates flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 1997
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Rolling Hills Estates, from FEMA’s records: 0.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 86% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Pineapple Express - Southern1 claim · $902
Rolling Hills 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.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Rolling Hills Estates
Disasters that paid out in Rolling Hills Estates itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Rolling Hills Estates), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Winter Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$77K to the City of Rolling Hills Estates for repairs
- 2017Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides$32K to the City of Rolling Hills Estates for repairs
- 2010Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Debris and Mud Flows$30K to the City of Rolling Hills Estates for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms, Flooding, Debris Flows, and Mudslides1 households applied for aid$142K to the City of Rolling Hills Estates for repairs
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 Rolling Hills Estates after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Rolling Hills Estates archive →Rolling Hills Estates and its neighbors
Rolling Hills Estates is 2nd of the 6 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 | C−more damage than 78% | earthquakes | — |
| 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 |
| Lomita | Dmore damage than 93% | earthquakes | 3 |
| 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 Rolling Hills 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 Rolling Hills Estates
Is Rolling Hills Estates at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Rolling Hills Estates has higher expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #184 of 847 in California. Most of the expected damage is earthquakes (56%) and river and rain flooding (44%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Rolling Hills Estates flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Rolling Hills Estates since 1997, $12K in all, or 0.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 86% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Pineapple Express - Southern (1).
Is Rolling Hills 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 Rolling Hills Estates?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Rolling Hills 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 Rolling Hills Estates?
By FEMA money that reached Rolling Hills Estates, Severe Storms, Flooding, Debris Flows, and Mudslides (2004): 1 households applied for aid, $0 approved, and $142K to the City of Rolling Hills Estates for repairs. By flood claims, Pineapple Express - Southern: 1 paid, $902.
Is Rolling Hills Estates at risk from earthquakes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (56%), and Rolling Hills Estates’ rate for it is in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Rolling Hills Estates.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Rolling Hills 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.