Petaluma, CA
Local storm history & FEMA National Risk Index data
Petaluma is rated Relatively High for overall natural hazard risk — higher risk than most US counties — based on FEMA's National Risk Index for Sonoma County, CA. The county's highest-rated hazards are landslide, earthquake, and drought.
Storm events near Petaluma
NOAA-recorded tornado, hail, and flood events within 25 miles of Petaluma's center, 2016–2026 — the only hazards NOAA reports with exact coordinates, so these counts are specific to Petaluma 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 Sonoma County's FEMA National Risk Index scores, covering Petaluma along with the rest of the county, not a Petaluma-specific figure.
| Hazard | NRI score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Wildfire | 98.2 | Relatively High |
| Inland Flooding | 99.2 | Relatively High |
| Coastal Flooding | 68.6 | Relatively Moderate |
| Earthquake | 99.5 | Relatively High |
| Heat Wave | 88.8 | Relatively Moderate |
| Tornado | 15.4 | Very Low |
| Avalanche | 10.8 | Very Low |
| Cold Wave | 0 | No Rating |
| Drought | 99.3 | Relatively High |
| Hail | 16.1 | Very Low |
| Hurricane | — | Not Applicable |
| Ice Storm | — | Not Applicable |
| Landslide | 99.8 | Relatively High |
| Lightning | 58.7 | Relatively Moderate |
| Strong Wind | 13.6 | Very Low |
| Tsunami | 26.2 | Very Low |
| Volcanic Activity | 85 | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | 8.1 | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20.0, December 2025. See the methodology page for definitions, or the full Sonoma County risk profile for disaster declarations, social vulnerability, and climate projection data.
Other cities in Sonoma County:
More on Sonoma County:
Frequently asked questions
What natural hazards is Petaluma, CA at risk of?
Petaluma is rated Relatively High for overall natural hazard risk by FEMA's National Risk Index — higher risk than most US counties. The highest-rated hazards for Sonoma County, where Petaluma is located, are landslide, earthquake, and drought.
What is Petaluma's biggest natural hazard risk?
Landslide is the highest-rated hazard for Sonoma County, where Petaluma is located, scoring 99.8 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (rated "Relatively High").
Is Petaluma a high-risk area for natural disasters?
Yes — Petaluma carries higher risk than most US counties for overall natural hazard risk, per FEMA's National Risk Index rating of "Relatively High" for Sonoma County.
Has Petaluma had tornadoes, hail, or flooding?
NOAA has recorded 27 hail, 300 inland flooding events within 25 miles of Petaluma since 2016.