Photo: ASDFGH · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in West Covina than in 92% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, West Covina gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns, #398 of 847 in California. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (50%), then earthquakes (50%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 2011.
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 West Covina 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 West Covina’s grade
River and rain flooding is 50% of the building damage FEMA expects in West Covina, and West Covina’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 86% of U.S. census tracts. Earthquakes add 50%, at a rate in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
D #398 of 847 in California; higher expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns (21,298).
West Covina’s residents live in 29 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, West Covina has less expected damage per building than 53% of California towns.
Among the 400 U.S. cities of 100,000 or more, West Covina has higher expected damage per building than 86% (#345 of 400). Because it is so big, its total expected yearly loss, $51.0M, is the 241th largest of those 400.
Does West Covina flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 2011
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in West Covina, from FEMA’s records: 0.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 100% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
West Covina 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.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to West Covina
Disasters that paid out in West Covina itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of West Covina), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Wildfires and Straight-line Winds244 households applied for aid$9K aid approved$40K to the City of West Covina for repairs
- 2020Wildfires2 households applied for aid$500 aid approved
- 2010Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Debris and Mud Flows$18K to the City of West Covina for repairs
- 2005Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mud and Debris Flows$7K to the City of West Covina for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms, Flooding, Debris Flows, and Mudslides48 households applied for aid$26K aid approved$47K to the City of West Covina for repairs
- 2003Wildfires, Flooding, Mudflow and Debris Flow Directly Related T36 households applied for aid$2K 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 West Covina after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the West Covina archive →West Covina and its neighbors
West Covina is 5th of the 10 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baldwin Park | Dmore damage than 88% | earthquakes | 2 |
| Irwindale | Dmore damage than 88% | earthquakes | — |
| Walnut | Dmore damage than 92% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Covina | Dmore damage than 92% | earthquakes | 1 |
| West Covina | Dmore damage than 92% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Vincent | Dmore damage than 92% | earthquakes | — |
| West Puente Valley | Dmore damage than 94% | earthquakes | — |
| Valinda | Dmore damage than 95% | river and rain flooding | — |
| South San Jose Hills | Dmore damage than 95% | river and rain flooding | — |
| La Puente | D−more damage than 97% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Industry | — | 210 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 West Covina 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 West Covina
Is West Covina at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, West Covina has higher expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #398 of 847 in California. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (50%) and earthquakes (50%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does West Covina flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in West Covina since 2011, $17K in all, or 0.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 100% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is West Covina 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 West Covina?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for West Covina’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 West Covina?
By FEMA money that reached West Covina, Severe Storms, Flooding, Debris Flows, and Mudslides (2004): 48 households applied for aid, $26K approved, and $47K to the City of West Covina for repairs.
Is West Covina at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (50%), and West Covina’s rate for it is higher than 86% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in West Covina.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where West Covina’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.