San Diego, CA

Local storm history & FEMA National Risk Index data

Population: 1,404,452 · Part of San Diego County

San Diego 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 San Diego County, CA. The county's highest-rated hazards are wildfire, inland flooding, and earthquake.

Storm events near San Diego

NOAA-recorded tornado, hail, and flood events within 25 miles of San Diego's center, 2016–2026 — the only hazards NOAA reports with exact coordinates, so these counts are specific to San Diego itself, not the whole county.

Tornado 0 events
Hail 3 events
Inland Flooding 166 events

County-wide hazard risk

Every other hazard FEMA and NOAA track — including drought — is only scored at the county level. These are San Diego County's FEMA National Risk Index scores, covering San Diego along with the rest of the county, not a San Diego-specific figure.

Hazard NRI score Rating
Wildfire 100 Very High
Inland Flooding 99.7 Very High
Coastal Flooding 72.8 Relatively Moderate
Earthquake 99.7 Relatively High
Heat Wave 98.7 Relatively High
Tornado 64.4 Relatively Low
Avalanche 32.2 Very Low
Cold Wave 3.1 Very Low
Drought 59.4 Relatively Low
Hail 77 Relatively Moderate
Hurricane 8.3 Very Low
Ice Storm Not Applicable
Landslide 99.5 Relatively High
Lightning 80.9 Relatively Moderate
Strong Wind 52 Relatively Moderate
Tsunami 52.3 Relatively Low
Volcanic Activity 33.9 Very Low
Winter Weather 48.3 Relatively Low

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20.0, December 2025. See the methodology page for definitions, or the full San Diego County risk profile for disaster declarations, social vulnerability, and climate projection data.

Other cities in San Diego County:

More on San Diego County:

Frequently asked questions

What natural hazards is San Diego, CA at risk of?

San Diego 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 San Diego County, where San Diego is located, are wildfire, inland flooding, and earthquake.

What is San Diego's biggest natural hazard risk?

Wildfire is the highest-rated hazard for San Diego County, where San Diego is located, scoring 100 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (rated "Very High").

Is San Diego a high-risk area for natural disasters?

Yes — San Diego 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 San Diego County.

Has San Diego had tornadoes, hail, or flooding?

NOAA has recorded 3 hail, 166 inland flooding events within 25 miles of San Diego since 2016.