Photo: sebi ryffel from Los Angeles · CC BY-SA 2.0On FEMA’s figures, San Marino faces more hazard damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, San Marino gets a D− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns, #642 of 847 in California. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (57%), then earthquakes (42%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 San Marino 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 San Marino’s grade
River and rain flooding is 57% of the building damage FEMA expects in San Marino, and San Marino’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts. Earthquakes add 42%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
D− #642 of 847 in California; higher expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns (21,298).
San Marino’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, San Marino has more expected damage per building than 76% of California towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $17.4M a year in losses across San Marino: $15.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does San Marino flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in San Marino. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
San Marino 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 San Marino
Disasters that paid out in San Marino itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of San Marino), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Wildfires and Straight-line Winds99 households applied for aid$8K aid approved$13K to the City of San Marino for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms, Flooding, Debris Flows, and Mudslides5 households applied for aid$521 aid approved$5K to the City of San Marino 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 San Marino after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the San Marino archive →San Marino and its neighbors
San Marino is 4th of the 7 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alhambra | Dmore damage than 93% | earthquakes | 6 |
| South Pasadena | Dmore damage than 93% | earthquakes | 8 |
| Pasadena | Dmore damage than 95% | earthquakes | 31 |
| San Marino | D−more damage than 96% | river and rain flooding | 0 |
| San Pasqual | D−more damage than 97% | river and rain flooding | — |
| East San Gabriel | D−more damage than 97% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| San Gabriel | 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 San Marino 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 San Marino
Is San Marino at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, San Marino has higher expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk, #642 of 847 in California. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (57%) and earthquakes (42%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is San Marino 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 San Marino?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for San Marino’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 San Marino?
By FEMA money that reached San Marino, Wildfires and Straight-line Winds (2025): 99 households applied for aid, $8K approved, and $13K to the City of San Marino for repairs.
Is San Marino at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (57%), and San Marino’s rate for it is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in San Marino.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where San Marino’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.