Photo: MikeJiroch · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, West Hollywood faces more hazard damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, West Hollywood gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns, #437 of 847 in California. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (52%), then earthquakes (48%). Flood insurance has paid 8 claims here since 1995.
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 Hollywood 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 Hollywood’s grade
River and rain flooding is 52% of the building damage FEMA expects in West Hollywood, and West Hollywood’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 87% of U.S. census tracts. Earthquakes add 48%, at a rate in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
D #437 of 847 in California; higher expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns (21,298).
West Hollywood’s residents live in 7 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 Hollywood has more expected damage per building than 52% of California towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $30.6M a year in losses across West Hollywood: $25.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does West Hollywood flood? Rarely: 8 flood claims since 1995
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in West Hollywood, from FEMA’s records: 0.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 94% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Pineapple Express - Southern4 claims · $22K
- The California Atmospheric River1 claim · $52K
West Hollywood 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 West Hollywood
Disasters that paid out in West Hollywood itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of West Hollywood), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Wildfires and Straight-line Winds3,080 households applied for aid$23K aid approved
- 2004Severe Storms, Flooding, Debris Flows, and Mudslides8 households applied for aid$7K aid approved$12K to the City of West Hollywood 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 West Hollywood after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the West Hollywood archive →West Hollywood and its neighbors
West Hollywood has the lowest expected damage per building of the 2 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| West Hollywood | Dmore damage than 93% | river and rain flooding | 8 |
| Beverly Hills | Dmore damage than 95% | earthquakes | 117 |
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 Hollywood 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 Hollywood
Is West Hollywood at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, West Hollywood has higher expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #437 of 847 in California. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (52%) and earthquakes (48%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does West Hollywood flood?
Flood insurance has paid 8 claims in West Hollywood since 1995, $76K in all, or 0.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 94% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Pineapple Express - Southern (4).
Is West Hollywood 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 Hollywood?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for West Hollywood’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 Hollywood?
By FEMA money that reached West Hollywood, Wildfires and Straight-line Winds (2025): 3,080 households applied for aid, $23K approved. By flood claims, Pineapple Express - Southern: 4 paid, $22K.
Is West Hollywood at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (52%), and West Hollywood’s rate for it is higher than 87% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in West Hollywood.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where West Hollywood’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.