Imperial Beach, CA
Local storm history & FEMA National Risk Index data
Imperial Beach 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 San Diego County, CA. The county's highest-rated hazards are wildfire, inland flooding, and earthquake.
Storm events near Imperial Beach
NOAA-recorded tornado, hail, and flood events within 25 miles of Imperial Beach's center, 2016–2026 — the only hazards NOAA reports with exact coordinates, so these counts are specific to Imperial Beach 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 San Diego County's FEMA National Risk Index scores, covering Imperial Beach along with the rest of the county, not a Imperial Beach-specific figure.
| Hazard | NRI score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Wildfire | 100 | Very High |
| Inland Flooding | 99.7 | Very High |
| Coastal Flooding | 72.8 | Relatively Moderate |
| Earthquake | 99.7 | Relatively High |
| Heat Wave | 98.7 | Relatively High |
| Tornado | 64.4 | Relatively Low |
| Avalanche | 32.2 | Very Low |
| Cold Wave | 3.1 | Very Low |
| Drought | 59.4 | Relatively Low |
| Hail | 77 | Relatively Moderate |
| Hurricane | 8.3 | Very Low |
| Ice Storm | — | Not Applicable |
| Landslide | 99.5 | Relatively High |
| Lightning | 80.9 | Relatively Moderate |
| Strong Wind | 52 | Relatively Moderate |
| Tsunami | 52.3 | Relatively Low |
| Volcanic Activity | 33.9 | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | 48.3 | Relatively Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20.0, December 2025. See the methodology page for definitions, or the full San Diego County risk profile for disaster declarations, social vulnerability, and climate projection data.
Other cities in San Diego County:
More on San Diego County:
Frequently asked questions
What natural hazards is Imperial Beach, CA at risk of?
Imperial Beach 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 San Diego County, where Imperial Beach is located, are wildfire, inland flooding, and earthquake.
What is Imperial Beach's biggest natural hazard risk?
Wildfire is the highest-rated hazard for San Diego County, where Imperial Beach is located, scoring 100 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (rated "Very High").
Is Imperial Beach a high-risk area for natural disasters?
Yes — Imperial Beach 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 San Diego County.
Has Imperial Beach had tornadoes, hail, or flooding?
NOAA has recorded 3 hail, 127 inland flooding events within 25 miles of Imperial Beach since 2016.