Photo: Telecineguy · CC BY-SA 3.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Sierra Madre than in 96% of U.S. towns, led by earthquakes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Sierra Madre gets a D− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns, #640 of 847 in California. Most of that expected damage is earthquakes (44%), then river and rain flooding (39%). Flood insurance has paid 16 claims here since 1978.
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 Sierra Madre 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
Wildfire
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 Sierra Madre’s grade
Earthquakes are 44% of the building damage FEMA expects in Sierra Madre, and Sierra Madre’s rate of earthquakes damage is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts. Wildfire adds 17%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
D− #640 of 847 in California; higher expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Sierra Madre’s residents live in 2 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, Sierra Madre has more expected damage per building than 76% of California towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $12.9M a year in losses across Sierra Madre: $8.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Sierra Madre flood? Sometimes: 16 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Sierra Madre, 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.
Sierra Madre 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 Sierra Madre
Disasters that paid out in Sierra Madre itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Sierra Madre), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Wildfires and Straight-line Winds1,178 households applied for aid$1.1M aid approved$129K to the City of Sierra Madre for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2020Wildfires4 households applied for aid$118K to the City of Sierra Madre for repairs
- 2010Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Debris and Mud Flows$24K to the City of Sierra Madre for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2004Severe Storms, Flooding, Debris Flows, and Mudslides15 households applied for aid$12K 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 Sierra Madre after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Sierra Madre archive →Sierra Madre and its neighbors
Sierra Madre is 3rd 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 Sierra Madre 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.
- Clear dead leaves and brush within 5 feet of the house.
- Sign up for local alerts and know two ways out.
- Keep N95 masks for smoky days.
- 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 Sierra Madre
Is Sierra Madre at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Sierra Madre has higher expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk, #640 of 847 in California. Most of the expected damage is earthquakes (44%) and river and rain flooding (39%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Sierra Madre flood?
Flood insurance has paid 16 claims in Sierra Madre since 1978, $76K in all, or 3.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 50% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Sierra Madre 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 Sierra Madre?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Sierra Madre’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 Sierra Madre?
By FEMA money that reached Sierra Madre, Wildfires and Straight-line Winds (2025): 1,178 households applied for aid, $1.1M approved, and $129K to the City of Sierra Madre for repairs.
Is Sierra Madre at risk from earthquakes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (44%), and Sierra Madre’s rate for it is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Sierra Madre.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Sierra Madre’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.