Photo: Victorrocha · CC BY 3.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Rowland Heights than in 92% of U.S. towns, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Rowland Heights gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns, #413 of 847 in California. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (50%), then earthquakes (49%). Flood insurance has paid 2 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 Rowland Heights 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 Rowland Heights’ grade
River and rain flooding is 50% of the building damage FEMA expects in Rowland Heights, and Rowland Heights’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 86% of U.S. census tracts. Earthquakes add 49%, at a rate in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
D #413 of 847 in California; higher expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Rowland Heights’ residents live in 11 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, Rowland Heights has less expected damage per building than 51% of California towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $27.8M a year in losses across Rowland Heights: $23.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Rowland Heights flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Rowland Heights, from FEMA’s records: 0.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 99% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Pineapple Express - Southern1 claim · $289
Rowland Heights 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 Rowland Heights
Disasters that paid out in Rowland Heights itself (aid to households or repair grants to Rowland Heights), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2004Severe Storms, Flooding, Debris Flows, and Mudslides8 households applied for aid$7K aid approved
- 2003Wildfires, Flooding, Mudflow and Debris Flow Directly Related T2 households applied for aid$131 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 Rowland Heights after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Rowland Heights archive →Rowland Heights and its neighbors
Rowland Heights 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| La Habra Heights | Dmore damage than 89% | earthquakes | 1 |
| Diamond Bar | Dmore damage than 90% | earthquakes | 1 |
| Rowland Heights | Dmore damage than 92% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Brea | Dmore damage than 93% | earthquakes | 1 |
| Hacienda Heights | Dmore damage than 93% | earthquakes | 8 |
| Industry | — | 210 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 Rowland Heights 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 Rowland Heights
Is Rowland Heights at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Rowland Heights has higher expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #413 of 847 in California. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (50%) and earthquakes (49%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Rowland Heights flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Rowland Heights since 1980, $3K in all, or 0.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 99% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Pineapple Express - Southern (1).
Is Rowland Heights 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 Rowland Heights?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Rowland Heights’ 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 Rowland Heights?
By FEMA money that reached Rowland Heights, Severe Storms, Flooding, Debris Flows, and Mudslides (2004): 8 households applied for aid, $7K approved. By flood claims, Pineapple Express - Southern: 1 paid, $289.
Is Rowland Heights at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (50%), and Rowland Heights’ rate for it is higher than 86% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Rowland Heights.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Rowland Heights’ 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.