FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in South Whittier than in 96% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, South Whittier gets a D− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns, #619 of 847 in California. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (51%), then earthquakes (49%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 1979.
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 Whittier 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 South Whittier’s grade
River and rain flooding is 51% of the building damage FEMA expects in South Whittier, and South Whittier’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts. Earthquakes add 49%, at a rate in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
D− #619 of 847 in California; higher expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns (21,298).
South Whittier’s residents live in 13 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 Whittier has more expected damage per building than 73% of California towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $30.6M a year in losses across South Whittier: $24.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does South Whittier flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in South Whittier, 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 · $4K
South Whittier 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.The storms South Whittier remembers
None of the 40 disasters declared for Los Angeles County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching South Whittier itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 19791 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
- 19981 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Winter Storms and Flooding, declared for Los Angeles County
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 Whittier after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the South Whittier archive →South Whittier and its neighbors
South Whittier is 4th of the 4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Whittier | Dmore damage than 92% | earthquakes | 6 |
| Santa Fe Springs | Dmore damage than 94% | earthquakes | — |
| La Mirada | Dmore damage than 94% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| South Whittier | D−more damage than 96% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
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 Whittier 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 South Whittier
Is South Whittier at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, South Whittier has higher expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk, #619 of 847 in California. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (51%) and earthquakes (49%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does South Whittier flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in South Whittier since 1979, $4K 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 South Whittier 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 Whittier?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for South Whittier’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 Whittier?
By flood claims, Pineapple Express - Southern: 1 paid, $4K.
Is South Whittier at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (51%), and South Whittier’s rate for it is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in South Whittier.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where South Whittier’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.