Berkeley, CA
Local storm history & FEMA National Risk Index data
Berkeley is rated Very High for overall natural hazard risk — among the most at-risk counties in the country — based on FEMA's National Risk Index for Alameda County, CA. The county's highest-rated hazards are earthquake, landslide, and inland flooding.
Storm events near Berkeley
NOAA-recorded tornado, hail, and flood events within 25 miles of Berkeley's center, 2016–2026 — the only hazards NOAA reports with exact coordinates, so these counts are specific to Berkeley itself, not the whole county.
County-wide hazard risk
Every other hazard FEMA and NOAA track — including drought — is only scored at the county level. These are Alameda County's FEMA National Risk Index scores, covering Berkeley along with the rest of the county, not a Berkeley-specific figure.
| Hazard | NRI score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Wildfire | 97.7 | Relatively High |
| Inland Flooding | 99.7 | Very High |
| Coastal Flooding | 86 | Relatively High |
| Earthquake | 100 | Very High |
| Heat Wave | 97.6 | Relatively High |
| Tornado | 65.8 | Relatively Moderate |
| Avalanche | 6.6 | Very Low |
| Cold Wave | 0 | No Rating |
| Drought | 85.9 | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | 35.8 | Relatively Low |
| Hurricane | — | Not Applicable |
| Ice Storm | — | Not Applicable |
| Landslide | 99.8 | Relatively High |
| Lightning | 47.5 | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | 11.3 | Very Low |
| Tsunami | 60 | Relatively Low |
| Volcanic Activity | 78.8 | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | 4.3 | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20.0, December 2025. See the methodology page for definitions, or the full Alameda County risk profile for disaster declarations, social vulnerability, and climate projection data.
Other cities in Alameda County:
More on Alameda County:
Frequently asked questions
What natural hazards is Berkeley, CA at risk of?
Berkeley is rated Very High for overall natural hazard risk by FEMA's National Risk Index — among the most at-risk counties in the country. The highest-rated hazards for Alameda County, where Berkeley is located, are earthquake, landslide, and inland flooding.
What is Berkeley's biggest natural hazard risk?
Earthquake is the highest-rated hazard for Alameda County, where Berkeley is located, scoring 100 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (rated "Very High").
Is Berkeley a high-risk area for natural disasters?
Yes — Berkeley carries among the most at-risk counties in the country for overall natural hazard risk, per FEMA's National Risk Index rating of "Very High" for Alameda County.
Has Berkeley had tornadoes, hail, or flooding?
NOAA has recorded 51 hail, 344 inland flooding events within 25 miles of Berkeley since 2016.