Salinas, CA
Local storm history & FEMA National Risk Index data
Salinas is rated Relatively High for overall natural hazard risk — higher risk than most US counties — based on FEMA's National Risk Index for Monterey County, CA. The county's highest-rated hazards are drought, landslide, and earthquake.
Storm events near Salinas
NOAA-recorded tornado, hail, and flood events within 25 miles of Salinas's center, 2016–2026 — the only hazards NOAA reports with exact coordinates, so these counts are specific to Salinas 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 Monterey County's FEMA National Risk Index scores, covering Salinas along with the rest of the county, not a Salinas-specific figure.
| Hazard | NRI score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Wildfire | 98.7 | Relatively High |
| Inland Flooding | 97.3 | Relatively High |
| Coastal Flooding | 59.8 | Relatively Low |
| Earthquake | 99.4 | Relatively High |
| Heat Wave | 95.8 | Relatively Moderate |
| Tornado | 28.7 | Relatively Low |
| Avalanche | 30.8 | Very Low |
| Cold Wave | 0 | No Rating |
| Drought | 100 | Very High |
| Hail | 33.5 | Very Low |
| Hurricane | — | Not Applicable |
| Ice Storm | — | Not Applicable |
| Landslide | 99.9 | Relatively High |
| Lightning | 63.7 | Relatively Moderate |
| Strong Wind | 11.4 | Very Low |
| Tsunami | 46.2 | Very Low |
| Volcanic Activity | — | Not Applicable |
| Winter Weather | 5.8 | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20.0, December 2025. See the methodology page for definitions, or the full Monterey County risk profile for disaster declarations, social vulnerability, and climate projection data.
Other cities in Monterey County:
More on Monterey County:
Frequently asked questions
What natural hazards is Salinas, CA at risk of?
Salinas 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 Monterey County, where Salinas is located, are drought, landslide, and earthquake.
What is Salinas's biggest natural hazard risk?
Drought is the highest-rated hazard for Monterey County, where Salinas is located, scoring 100 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (rated "Very High").
Is Salinas a high-risk area for natural disasters?
Yes — Salinas carries higher risk than most US counties for overall natural hazard risk, per FEMA's National Risk Index rating of "Relatively High" for Monterey County.
Has Salinas had tornadoes, hail, or flooding?
NOAA has recorded 2 tornado, 23 hail, 141 inland flooding events within 25 miles of Salinas since 2016.