More hazard damage per building is expected in South El Monte than in 97% of U.S. towns, mostly from earthquakes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, South El Monte gets a D− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns, #689 of 847 in California. Most of that expected damage is earthquakes (54%), then river and rain flooding (45%). 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 South El Monte 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 South El Monte’s grade
Earthquakes are 54% of the building damage FEMA expects in South El Monte, and South El Monte’s rate of earthquakes damage is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts. River and rain flooding adds 45%, at a rate in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
D− #689 of 847 in California; higher expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns (21,298).
South El Monte’s residents live in 5 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, South El Monte has more expected damage per building than 81% of California towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $25.0M a year in losses across South El Monte: $20.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does South El Monte flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in South El Monte. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
South El Monte 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 South El Monte
Disasters that paid out in South El Monte itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of South El Monte), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Wildfires and Straight-line Winds49 households applied for aid$770 aid approved
- 2024Severe Winter Storms, Tornadoes, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$8K to the City of South El Monte 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 South El Monte after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the South El Monte archive →South El Monte and its neighbors
South El Monte is 2nd 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 South El Monte 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 South El Monte
Is South El Monte at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, South El Monte has higher expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk, #689 of 847 in California. Most of the expected damage is earthquakes (54%) and river and rain flooding (45%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is South El Monte 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 South El Monte?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for South El Monte’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 South El Monte?
By FEMA money that reached South El Monte, Severe Winter Storms, Tornadoes, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2024): $8K to the City of South El Monte for repairs.
Is South El Monte at risk from earthquakes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (54%), and South El Monte’s rate for it is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in South El Monte.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where South El Monte’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.