Does Long Beach have its own hazard scores?

No. Long Beach inherits California’s statewide ratings. Use this page to see which peril matters most locally (Earthquakes), then verify the exact address — two streets in Los Angeles County can differ.

What should I check first in Long Beach?

Start with Earthquakes in California, then a ZIP lookup and the FEMA or USGS map that matches that hazard.

Natural Hazard Risk in Long Beach, CA | HomeRiskMap

What this page is

Long Beach sits in Los Angeles County, California. This is a local briefing: it names the hazard that usually matters most here (Earthquakes), then shows the statewide ratings California homeowners use to decide what official map to open. It is not a flood-zone letter or an insurance quote.

Confirm the neighborhood with a ZIP lookup.
Open Earthquakes in California.
Verify the address on the official maps in the sidebar, then read a matching guide.

Long Beach carries one of the most instructive earthquake histories in California. The 1933 Long Beach earthquake destroyed hundreds of schools and businesses and led directly to the state's first seismic building codes, but much of the city's waterfront and downtown was built on filled land and soft soils long before that lesson was learned. Today the Newport-Inglewood fault runs just offshore and onshore through the metro, capable of a damaging shallow quake, and the larger San Andreas looms farther inland.

The ground is the problem as much as the fault. Areas along the harbor, the Los Angeles River floodplain and the Alamitos Bay shoreline sit on loose, saturated soils that amplify shaking and can liquefy during a strong quake. Long Beach also faces a tsunami hazard on its oceanfront, and evacuation routes are posted along the beach neighborhoods. The port and its surrounding industry add a secondary concern: earthquakes can trigger hazardous-material releases, which is one more reason to know your neighborhood's emergency plan.

For homeowners, the first question is construction age: unreinforced masonry and pre-1933 buildings are the most vulnerable, though plenty of mid-century homes also need foundation bolting and cripple-wall bracing. Soft-story apartment buildings with parking at ground level are a known risk type in the city. A standard homeowners policy will not cover quake damage, so separate earthquake insurance is worth pricing, and keep a go-bag ready, since a major offshore quake could combine shaking, liquefaction and a tsunami warning in a single event.

How to read the Long Beach snapshot

Long Beach is in Los Angeles County, California. This page does not score individual streets. It tells you which statewide hazards matter most here, then points you to the official map for the address you care about.

The local focus is Earthquakes in California. Earthquake damage is typically excluded from a standard homeowners policy. Coverage is a separate policy or endorsement.

Highest statewide ratings that apply in Long Beach

Wildfires — Extreme. California's wildfire risk is rated 5 out of 5, and if you live in the foothills or near chaparral, your house is in…
Earthquakes — Extreme. California has more earthquake risk than any other state, and it's not just the Bay Area or LA. If you're buying or…
Drought — Extreme. If you're buying a house in California, drought is not just a summer inconvenience — it can crack your foundation,…

What to do before you buy or renew in Long Beach

Look up the ZIP on our ZIP tool so you land on this city or the California profile.
Open the Earthquakes page and follow the official map links in the sidebar.
Confirm preparedness guidance with California Governor's Office of Emergency Services.

Other California city briefings: Anaheim, Bakersfield, Fresno, Irvine, Los Angeles, Modesto.

Hazard ratings for California

These are state-level scores used across Long Beach. Use them as a starting point, then verify your exact address with the official maps linked on each hazard page.

Wildfires California's wildfire risk is rated 5 out of 5, and if you live in the foothills or near chaparral, your house is in the path. The state's… Extreme Earthquakes California has more earthquake risk than any other state, and it's not just the Bay Area or LA. If you're buying or insuring a home here,… Extreme Drought If you're buying a house in California, drought is not just a summer inconvenience — it can crack your foundation, dry up your well, and… Extreme Flooding California's flood risk is higher than most people think, and the state rates at level four out of five. If you're buying or insuring a… Major Extreme Heat If you own a home in California, extreme heat is a bigger deal than most people think, especially in the Central Valley and inland areas.… Major Landslides If you own a home on a slope in California, landslides are a real risk—the state gets a level 4 out of 5 for this hazard. But standard… Major Winter Storms Winter storms in California are mostly about snow in the mountains and rain that turns into floods and mudslides. The statewide risk is… Minor Severe Storms California's severe storm risk is a 2 out of 5 statewide, but that doesn't mean you can ignore it. If you own a home in the Central Valley,… Minor Hurricanes In California, hurricanes are rare, but tropical storm rain and flash flooding still show up in places like San Diego, the Coachella… Minimal Tornadoes Tornadoes in California are rare, but they do happen—mostly as weak, short-lived storms in the Central Valley. Your homeowners insurance… Minimal

What the ratings mean

"MinimalMinorModerateMajorExtreme

Each rating is a statewide starting point, framed for a typical 30-year stay — the length of a standard mortgage. A neighborhood can look different from the state average. Always verify your address with official FEMA, NOAA or USGS maps.

Save this profile as a PDF for your records or insurance file.

Using the Long Beach profile

Does Long Beach have its own hazard scores?: No. Long Beach inherits California’s statewide ratings. Use this page to see which peril matters most locally (Earthquakes), then verify the exact address — two streets in Los Angeles County can differ.
What should I check first in Long Beach?: Start with Earthquakes in California, then a ZIP lookup and the FEMA or USGS map that matches that hazard.
Will homeowners insurance cover Earthquakes here?: Earthquake damage is typically excluded from a standard homeowners policy. Coverage is a separate policy or endorsement.

Last updated: October 14, 2026. Ratings are state-wide estimates — always verify your specific address with official sources.

Guides for California homeowners

Cripple Wall Retrofit: Strengthen Your Home's Earthquake DefensesLearn how a cripple wall retrofit can prevent your older home from collapsing in an earthquake. Understand the basics, why it…Jun 21, 2026Read guide →

How to Strap Your Water Heater for Earthquake SafetyLearn why securing your water heater is critical after an earthquake and get step-by-step instructions to strap it properly,…Jun 21, 2026Read guide →

Earthquake Drills for Kids and Seniors: Drop, Cover, Hold OnLearn how to practice 'Drop, Cover, and Hold On' with children and older adults. This guide provides step-by-step drills,…Jun 21, 2026Read guide →