About 15 miles inland, this Gateway Cities community gets roughly 14 inches of rain a year, almost all of it in winter. Its older housing stock and hillside streets shape how water and fire damage play out. Los Angeles County has been part of 14 federal disaster declarations since 2000, from winter storm and mudslide events in 2005, 2017, 2023 and 2024 to wildfire declarations including one in 2025.
Fire & Water Energy is a phone-based referral service; we don't own equipment or employ restorers. Call (866) 937-3230 and we'll try to reach an independent restoration contractor who works in Whittier, though availability depends on local companies. Details are in our referral disclosure.
Hills, a river and an earthquake history
The city sits at about 367 feet, with the Whittier Hills rising to the north and the San Gabriel River along the west side near Pio Pico State Historic Park. Summers are warm and dry, with highs in the upper 80s to upper 90s; the record is 113 degrees. Rain is concentrated in the cooler months.
On October 1, 1987, the magnitude 5.9 Whittier Narrows earthquake killed eight people and damaged many historic buildings in Uptown, followed by a 5.2 aftershock three days later. County-level FEMA declarations since then have mostly involved severe winter storms, flooding, landslides and mudslides, plus several rounds of wildfires.
Older plumbing and water damage repair in historic districts
Neighborhoods such as Central Park, Hadley-Greenleaf, College Hills and the Earlham Drive historic district are known for Craftsman and Spanish Colonial Revival houses. In older homes like these, aging galvanized or cast-iron pipes, original roofs and raised wood floors over crawl spaces are frequent trouble spots, and plaster walls behave differently from drywall when wet. Newer tracts in East Whittier have their own issues, such as failed water heaters and supply lines.
When looking for water damage restoration in Whittier, ask whether the contractor has experience drying plaster, hardwood and older framing without unnecessary demolition. Our water damage restoration page outlines the usual process, and property damage reconstruction covers rebuilding.
Federal disaster declarations that included Los Angeles County
FEMA records show Los Angeles County was included in 14 major disaster declarations for weather or fire events from 2000 through 2026 (7 fire, 5 severe storm, 2 flood, by FEMA incident type). Declarations are made at the county level, so they do not mean every neighborhood in Whittier was affected. The most recent:
- 2025 – Wildfires and Straight-line Winds (DR-4856)
- 2024 – Severe Winter Storms, Tornadoes, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (DR-4769)
- 2023 – Severe Winter Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (DR-4699)
- 2023 – Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (DR-4683)
- 2020 – Wildfires (DR-4569)
- 2018 – Wildfires (DR-4407)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries, retrieved 2026-10-10. Counts include major disaster (DR) declarations with hurricane, flood, severe storm, tropical storm, fire, tornado, coastal storm, winter or ice storm, mudslide and dam/levee incident types.
Water, fire or storm damage in Whittier?
Call (866) 937-3230 and tell us what happened at your Whittier property.
Brush, smoke and fire damage near the hills
Homes in Starlite Estates, Friendly Hills and other streets against the hills sit near open, dry vegetation, and the county's wildfire declarations are a reminder that smoke and embers travel. Inside the city, kitchen and electrical fires remain the everyday risk. In older wood-frame houses, smoke can move through wall cavities and attics, carrying odor well beyond the burned room.
Restoration contractors generally board up, remove debris, dry firefighting water, then clean soot and deodorize. Learn more about smoke damage cleanup and smoke odor removal.
Hillside runoff, mud and winter storm cleanup
Hard winter rain on sloped streets sends water and mud downhill toward garages, patios and crawl-space vents. Mudflow and debris hazards are on the county emergency office's list of local threats, especially after fires strip vegetation. Water that has run across soil, streets or yards should be treated as contaminated; affected drywall, insulation and carpet are typically removed before drying.
Strong wind can also bring large trees and limbs down onto roofs. Related services: storm damage cleanup and flood cleanup.
Mold in crawl spaces and plaster walls
Older homes with crawl spaces, limited ventilation or long-hidden roof leaks can harbor mold on subfloors and inside walls. The EPA recommends that growth larger than roughly 10 square feet be handled by professionals who contain the area, filter the air and remove what cannot be cleaned. Fixing the moisture source matters as much as the cleanup. See mold remediation.
What to do first in Whittier
- Call 911 if there is fire, a gas smell, an injury or structural movement.
- After an earthquake, check for gas and water leaks and know where your shutoffs are.
- Register for Alert LA County at Ready LA County to get notifications about flooding, mudflows and fires.
- Before moving anything, take wide and close-up photos, and file away receipts for tarps, fans or lodging.
- Contact your insurer or agent; coverage depends on your policy, and earthquake and flood are often separate.
Whittier residents can reach us at (866) 937-3230 to ask about an independent contractor. You can also see our California service areas.
Neighborhoods and nearby communities
Areas in and around Whittier that callers often mention include:
- Uptown Whittier
- Central Park
- Hadley-Greenleaf
- Starlite Estates
- College Hills
- Earlham Drive
- East Whittier
- Friendly Hills
- Murphy Ranch
- Leffingwell Ranch
- Sunglow
Nearby communities with their own pages (straight-line distance from Whittier):
Whittier restoration FAQs
Can water-damaged plaster walls in an older Whittier home be saved?
Often, yes, if they are dried promptly and the plaster stays bonded to the lath. A contractor should check moisture levels and adhesion before recommending removal, since historic finishes can be hard to match.
How did the 1987 earthquake affect Whittier?
The October 1, 1987 Whittier Narrows earthquake measured 5.9, killed eight people and damaged many historic buildings in Uptown. Quakes can also break water and gas lines, so knowing your shutoffs is useful.
When is the rainy season in Whittier?
Most of the city's roughly 14 inches of annual rain falls in winter, while summers are dry. Recent county storm declarations in 2023 and 2024 came from severe winter storms with flooding and mudslides.
Do homes near the hills face extra risks?
Hillside streets can see runoff and mud during heavy rain, and homes near dry vegetation may be exposed to wildfire smoke and embers. Clearing gutters and keeping drainage paths open helps.
If I call your number, whose crew shows up at my Whittier house?
An independent restoration company, if one serving the area is available. Fire & Water Energy only makes the introduction and does not perform or supervise the work.
Restoration guides
- Water Damage Restoration
- Property Damage Reconstruction
- Smoke Damage Cleanup
- Smoke Odor Removal
- Storm Damage Cleanup
- Mold Remediation