Photo: Wehwalt · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in South Pasadena than in 93% of U.S. towns, mostly from earthquakes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, South Pasadena gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns, #450 of 847 in California. Most of that expected damage is earthquakes (55%), then river and rain flooding (45%). Flood insurance has paid 8 claims here since 1998.
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 Pasadena 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 Pasadena’s grade
Earthquakes are 55% of the building damage FEMA expects in South Pasadena, and South Pasadena’s rate of earthquakes damage is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 45% (higher than 83% of U.S. census tracts).
D #450 of 847 in California; higher expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns (21,298).
South Pasadena’s 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, South Pasadena has more expected damage per building than 53% of California towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $19.9M a year in losses across South Pasadena: $15.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does South Pasadena flood? Rarely: 8 flood claims since 1998
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in South Pasadena, from FEMA’s records: 0.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 84% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Pineapple Express - Southern3 claims · $5K
South Pasadena 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.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to South Pasadena
Disasters that paid out in South Pasadena itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of South Pasadena), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Wildfires and Straight-line Winds645 households applied for aid$102K aid approved$87K to the City of South Pasadena for repairs
- 2011Flooding$4K to the City of South Pasadena for repairs
- 2010Flooding$16K to the City of South Pasadena for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2009Severe Storms and Flooding$7K to the City of South Pasadena for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$5K to the City of South Pasadena for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms, Flooding, Debris Flows, and Mudslides36 households applied for aid$36K aid approved$11K to the City of South Pasadena for repairs
Show all 7
- 2001Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Ice Jams$3K to the City of South Pasadena 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 Pasadena after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the South Pasadena archive →South Pasadena and its neighbors
South Pasadena is 2nd 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | — |
| Los Angeles | D−more damage than 96% | earthquakes | 1,980 |
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 Pasadena 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 Pasadena
Is South Pasadena at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, South Pasadena has higher expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #450 of 847 in California. Most of the expected damage is earthquakes (55%) and river and rain flooding (45%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does South Pasadena flood?
Flood insurance has paid 8 claims in South Pasadena since 1998, $123K in all, or 0.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 84% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Pineapple Express - Southern (3).
Is South Pasadena 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 Pasadena?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for South Pasadena’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 Pasadena?
By FEMA money that reached South Pasadena, Wildfires and Straight-line Winds (2025): 645 households applied for aid, $102K approved, and $87K to the City of South Pasadena for repairs. By flood claims, Pineapple Express - Southern: 3 paid, $5K.
Is South Pasadena at risk from earthquakes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (55%), and South Pasadena’s rate for it is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in South Pasadena.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where South Pasadena’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.