Palm Springs, CA
Local storm history & FEMA National Risk Index data
Palm Springs 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 Riverside County, CA. The county's highest-rated hazards are wildfire, inland flooding, and earthquake.
Storm events near Palm Springs
NOAA-recorded tornado, hail, and flood events within 25 miles of Palm Springs's center, 2016–2026 — the only hazards NOAA reports with exact coordinates, so these counts are specific to Palm Springs 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 Riverside County's FEMA National Risk Index scores, covering Palm Springs along with the rest of the county, not a Palm Springs-specific figure.
| Hazard | NRI score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Wildfire | 100 | Very High |
| Inland Flooding | 99.9 | Very High |
| Coastal Flooding | — | Not Applicable |
| Earthquake | 99.8 | Very High |
| Heat Wave | 98.5 | Relatively High |
| Tornado | 86.7 | Relatively Moderate |
| Avalanche | 51.6 | Very Low |
| Cold Wave | 13.9 | Very Low |
| Drought | 55.7 | Relatively Low |
| Hail | 81.4 | Relatively Moderate |
| Hurricane | 12 | Very Low |
| Ice Storm | — | Not Applicable |
| Landslide | 98.7 | Relatively High |
| Lightning | 81.5 | Relatively Moderate |
| Strong Wind | 52.7 | Relatively Moderate |
| Tsunami | — | Not Applicable |
| Volcanic Activity | 66.8 | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | 66.8 | Relatively Moderate |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20.0, December 2025. See the methodology page for definitions, or the full Riverside County risk profile for disaster declarations, social vulnerability, and climate projection data.
Other cities in Riverside County:
More on Riverside County:
Frequently asked questions
What natural hazards is Palm Springs, CA at risk of?
Palm Springs 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 Riverside County, where Palm Springs is located, are wildfire, inland flooding, and earthquake.
What is Palm Springs's biggest natural hazard risk?
Wildfire is the highest-rated hazard for Riverside County, where Palm Springs is located, scoring 100 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (rated "Very High").
Is Palm Springs a high-risk area for natural disasters?
Yes — Palm Springs 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 Riverside County.
Has Palm Springs had tornadoes, hail, or flooding?
NOAA has recorded 1 tornado, 3 hail, 88 inland flooding events within 25 miles of Palm Springs since 2016.