Palo Alto, CA
Local storm history & FEMA National Risk Index data
Palo Alto 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 Santa Clara County, CA. The county's highest-rated hazards are earthquake, inland flooding, and landslide.
Storm events near Palo Alto
NOAA-recorded tornado, hail, and flood events within 25 miles of Palo Alto's center, 2016–2026 — the only hazards NOAA reports with exact coordinates, so these counts are specific to Palo Alto 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 Santa Clara County's FEMA National Risk Index scores, covering Palo Alto along with the rest of the county, not a Palo Alto-specific figure.
| Hazard | NRI score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Wildfire | 97.4 | Relatively Moderate |
| Inland Flooding | 99.8 | Very High |
| Coastal Flooding | 88.8 | Relatively High |
| Earthquake | 99.9 | Very High |
| Heat Wave | 98.6 | Relatively High |
| Tornado | 55.8 | Relatively Low |
| Avalanche | 13 | Very Low |
| Cold Wave | 0 | No Rating |
| Drought | 99.2 | Relatively High |
| Hail | 37.5 | Relatively Low |
| Hurricane | — | Not Applicable |
| Ice Storm | — | Not Applicable |
| Landslide | 99.7 | Relatively High |
| Lightning | 46.9 | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | 9.4 | Very Low |
| Tsunami | 18.5 | Very Low |
| Volcanic Activity | 15 | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | 3.1 | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20.0, December 2025. See the methodology page for definitions, or the full Santa Clara County risk profile for disaster declarations, social vulnerability, and climate projection data.
Other cities in Santa Clara County:
More on Santa Clara County:
Frequently asked questions
What natural hazards is Palo Alto, CA at risk of?
Palo Alto 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 Santa Clara County, where Palo Alto is located, are earthquake, inland flooding, and landslide.
What is Palo Alto's biggest natural hazard risk?
Earthquake is the highest-rated hazard for Santa Clara County, where Palo Alto is located, scoring 99.9 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (rated "Very High").
Is Palo Alto a high-risk area for natural disasters?
Yes — Palo Alto 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 Santa Clara County.
Has Palo Alto had tornadoes, hail, or flooding?
NOAA has recorded 1 tornado, 47 hail, 208 inland flooding events within 25 miles of Palo Alto since 2016.