Lafayette, CA
Local storm history & FEMA National Risk Index data
Lafayette 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 Contra Costa County, CA. The county's highest-rated hazards are earthquake, inland flooding, and landslide.
Storm events near Lafayette
NOAA-recorded tornado, hail, and flood events within 25 miles of Lafayette's center, 2016–2026 — the only hazards NOAA reports with exact coordinates, so these counts are specific to Lafayette 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 Contra Costa County's FEMA National Risk Index scores, covering Lafayette along with the rest of the county, not a Lafayette-specific figure.
| Hazard | NRI score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Wildfire | 97.6 | Relatively Moderate |
| Inland Flooding | 99.5 | Very High |
| Coastal Flooding | 66 | Relatively Moderate |
| Earthquake | 99.7 | Relatively High |
| Heat Wave | 98.3 | Relatively High |
| Tornado | 49.9 | Relatively Low |
| Avalanche | 5.3 | Very Low |
| Cold Wave | 0 | No Rating |
| Drought | 94.6 | Relatively High |
| Hail | 33 | Very Low |
| Hurricane | — | Not Applicable |
| Ice Storm | — | Not Applicable |
| Landslide | 99.3 | Relatively High |
| Lightning | 90.8 | Relatively High |
| Strong Wind | 34.4 | Relatively Low |
| Tsunami | 47.7 | Relatively Low |
| Volcanic Activity | 77.9 | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | 9.2 | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20.0, December 2025. See the methodology page for definitions, or the full Contra Costa County risk profile for disaster declarations, social vulnerability, and climate projection data.
Other cities in Contra Costa County:
More on Contra Costa County:
Frequently asked questions
What natural hazards is Lafayette, CA at risk of?
Lafayette 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 Contra Costa County, where Lafayette is located, are earthquake, inland flooding, and landslide.
What is Lafayette's biggest natural hazard risk?
Earthquake is the highest-rated hazard for Contra Costa County, where Lafayette is located, scoring 99.7 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (rated "Relatively High").
Is Lafayette a high-risk area for natural disasters?
Yes — Lafayette 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 Contra Costa County.
Has Lafayette had tornadoes, hail, or flooding?
NOAA has recorded 52 hail, 333 inland flooding events within 25 miles of Lafayette since 2016.