Los Angeles County, California Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · CA
Very HighComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 100th
Los Angeles County faces very high composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 100.0, 100th national percentile), driven primarily by earthquake and riverine flood exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $7.60B.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Los Angeles County at very high composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 100.0 out of 100 — placing it in the 100th national percentile and among the most at-risk counties in the United States. The score blends Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across all 18 FEMA hazard types.
Risk here concentrates in earthquake (ground shaking from sudden movement along geologic faults) at Very High risk — $4.57B in expected annual loss and about 0.09 events per year; riverine flood (rivers and streams overflowing their banks after heavy rain or snowmelt) at Very High risk — $2.81B in expected annual loss and about 3.96 events per year; and wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Very High risk — $155M in expected annual loss and about 0.01 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $7.60B in expected annual loss for a population of 10.01M.
Beyond physical exposure, Los Angeles County has a medium social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a very low community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). Both measures sit toward the lower end, indicating relatively modest population sensitivity.
The county's disaster history tells the same story: Los Angeles County has received 88 federal disaster declarations since 1969, including 61 for fire events and 10 for flood events. The most recent was Canyon Fire (fire), declared in August 2025.
Among 58 California counties, Los Angeles County ranks #1 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Earthquake | Very High | 0.09 / yr | $4.57B |
| Riverine Flood | Very High | 3.96 / yr | $2.81B |
| Wildfire | Very High | 0.01 / yr | $155M |
| Heat Wave | High | 9.45 / yr | $37M |
| Landslide | High | 78.63 / yr | $2M |
| Tornado | High | 0.49 / yr | $18M |
| Lightning | Very High | 8.36 / yr | $2M |
| Hail | Medium | 0.10 / yr | $2M |
| Avalanche | High | 0.13 / yr | $2M |
| Coastal Flood | High | 2.17 / yr | $5M |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 0.15 / yr | $971K |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 6.59 / yr | $142K |
| Tsunami | Low | 0.39 / yr | $3M |
| Drought | Low | 81.77 / yr | $80K |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 0.03 / yr | $24K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Disaster History
Los Angeles County has received 88 federal disaster declarations since 1969, most recently Canyon Fire in August 2025. Most frequent causes: Fire (61), Flood (10), Severe Storm (8).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| August 2025 | Fire | Canyon Fire |
| January 2025 | Fire | Hurst Fire |
| January 2025 | Fire | Eaton Fire |
| January 2025 | Fire | Wildfires and Straight-Line Winds |
| January 2025 | Fire | Palisades Fire |
| December 2024 | Fire | Franklin Fire |
| September 2024 | Fire | Bridge Fire |
| April 2024 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms, Tornadoes, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| April 2023 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| March 2023 | Flood | Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
Showing the 10 most recent of 88 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Los Angeles County?
Los Angeles County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 100.0 out of 100, placing it in the Very High category and the 100th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Los Angeles County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Earthquake (Very High, $4.57B EAL), Riverine Flood (Very High, $2.81B EAL), Wildfire (Very High, $155M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Los Angeles County compare to other California counties?
Los Angeles County ranks #1 of 58 California counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very high rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Los Angeles County had?
FEMA records 88 federal disaster declarations for Los Angeles County since 1969, most often 61 for fire events and 10 for flood events. The most recent was Canyon Fire, declared in August 2025.
What does Expected Annual Loss (EAL) mean?
EAL is FEMA's estimate of average annual dollar losses from natural hazards, calculated from historical event data and exposure models. Los Angeles County's $7.60B EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.