Southern Pacific Railroad Depot, Whittier · Photo: Los Angeles · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA puts Whittier’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 92% of U.S. towns, mostly from earthquakes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Whittier gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns, #423 of 847 in California. Most of that expected damage is earthquakes (58%), then river and rain flooding (41%). Flood insurance has paid 6 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 Whittier 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 Whittier’s grade
Earthquakes are 58% of the building damage FEMA expects in Whittier, and Whittier’s rate of earthquakes damage is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 41% (higher than 80% of U.S. census tracts).
D #423 of 847 in California; higher expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Whittier’s residents live in 24 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, Whittier has less expected damage per building than 50% of California towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $48.1M a year in losses across Whittier: $37.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Whittier flood? Rarely: 6 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Whittier, from FEMA’s records: 0.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 97% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Pineapple Express - Southern1 claim · $4K
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.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Whittier
Disasters that paid out in Whittier itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Whittier), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Wildfires and Straight-line Winds328 households applied for aid$9K aid approved
- 2010Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Debris and Mud Flows$16K to the City of Whittier for repairs
- 2005Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mud and Debris Flows$68K to the City of Whittier for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2004Severe Storms, Flooding, Debris Flows, and Mudslides39 households applied for aid$25K aid approved$228K to the City of Whittier 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 Whittier after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Whittier archive →Whittier and its neighbors
Whittier is 4th of the 8 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| La Habra Heights | Dmore damage than 89% | earthquakes | 1 |
| Pico Rivera | Dmore damage than 91% | earthquakes | 5 |
| East Whittier | Dmore damage than 92% | earthquakes | 1 |
| Whittier | Dmore damage than 92% | earthquakes | 6 |
| Hacienda Heights | Dmore damage than 93% | earthquakes | 8 |
| Santa Fe Springs | Dmore damage than 94% | earthquakes | — |
| West Whittier-Los Nietos | Dmore damage than 95% | earthquakes | 1 |
| 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 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.
- 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 Whittier
Is Whittier at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Whittier has higher expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #423 of 847 in California. Most of the expected damage is earthquakes (58%) and river and rain flooding (41%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Whittier flood?
Flood insurance has paid 6 claims in Whittier since 1979, $18K in all, or 0.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 97% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Pineapple Express - Southern (1).
Is 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 Whittier?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for 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 Whittier?
By FEMA money that reached Whittier, Severe Storms, Flooding, Debris Flows, and Mudslides (2004): 39 households applied for aid, $25K approved, and $228K to the City of Whittier for repairs. By flood claims, Pineapple Express - Southern: 1 paid, $4K.
Is Whittier at risk from earthquakes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (58%), and Whittier’s rate for it is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Whittier.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where 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.