Natural Disasters in San Francisco, CA
Hazard risk, disaster history, and FEMA data
Natural Hazard Risk
Source: FEMA National Risk IndexRisk Score
99.5
Very High
Expected Annual Loss
99.6
Score (0-100)
Social Vulnerability
48.1
Score (0-100)
Community Resilience
99.7
Score (0-100)
Top Hazard Risks
| Hazard | Risk Score |
|---|---|
| Earthquake | 99.8 |
| Landslide | 98.4 |
| Heat Wave | 93.9 |
| Tsunami | 72.3 |
| Drought | 69.3 |
| Coastal Flood | 62.0 |
| Tornado | 34.9 |
| Lightning | 29.9 |
| Wildfire | 28.7 |
| Volcanic Activity | 28.3 |
| Hail | 18.1 |
| Strong Wind | 10.3 |
| Winter Weather | 1.2 |
Scores range from 0 (lowest risk) to 100 (highest risk) relative to all U.S. communities. Data from FEMA National Risk Index.
Disaster Declarations
Source: FEMA OpenFEMATotal Declarations
11
Most Recent
Severe Storm
Apr 2023
Most Common Type
Severe Storm
4 declarations
| Date | Type | Declaration |
|---|---|---|
| Apr 3, 2023 | Severe Storm | SEVERE WINTER STORMS, STRAIGHT-LINE WINDS, FLOODING, LANDSLIDES, AND MUDSLIDES |
| Mar 10, 2023 | Flood | SEVERE WINTER STORMS, FLOODING, LANDSLIDES, AND MUDSLIDES |
| Jan 14, 2023 | Flood | SEVERE WINTER STORMS, FLOODING, LANDSLIDES, AND MUDSLIDES |
| Jan 9, 2023 | Flood | SEVERE WINTER STORMS, FLOODING, AND MUDSLIDES |
| Mar 22, 2020 | Biological | COVID-19 PANDEMIC |
| Mar 13, 2020 | Biological | COVID-19 |
| Sep 13, 2005 | Hurricane | HURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION |
| Feb 9, 1998 | Severe Storm | SEVERE WINTER STORMS AND FLOODING |
| Jan 4, 1997 | Severe Storm | SEVERE STORMS, FLOODING, MUD AND LANDSLIDES |
| Mar 12, 1995 | Severe Storm | SEVERE WINTER STORMS, FLOODING LANDSLIDES, MUD FLOW |
| Oct 18, 1989 | Earthquake | LOMA PRIETA EARTHQUAKE |
Flood Insurance (NFIP)
Source: FEMA NFIPTotal Claims
147
Total Claims Paid
$2,662,809
Avg Claim Payout
$18,114
County-level NFIP data from FEMA National Flood Insurance Program.
San Francisco has a very high overall natural hazard risk rating according to FEMA's National Risk Index. The top hazard risks are earthquake, landslide, heat wave. The area has had 11 federal disaster declarations. The most common disaster type is severe storm (4 declarations). 147 flood insurance claims have been filed in the area.