San Luis Obispo, CA
Local storm history & FEMA National Risk Index data
San Luis Obispo is rated Relatively High for overall natural hazard risk — higher risk than most US counties — based on FEMA's National Risk Index for San Luis Obispo County, CA. The county's highest-rated hazards are drought, landslide, and wildfire.
Storm events near San Luis Obispo
NOAA-recorded tornado, hail, and flood events within 25 miles of San Luis Obispo's center, 2016–2026 — the only hazards NOAA reports with exact coordinates, so these counts are specific to San Luis Obispo 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 San Luis Obispo County's FEMA National Risk Index scores, covering San Luis Obispo along with the rest of the county, not a San Luis Obispo-specific figure.
| Hazard | NRI score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Wildfire | 98.3 | Relatively High |
| Inland Flooding | 96.7 | Relatively High |
| Coastal Flooding | 50 | Relatively Low |
| Earthquake | 97.9 | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | 78.7 | Relatively Low |
| Tornado | 6.1 | Very Low |
| Avalanche | 5.4 | Very Low |
| Cold Wave | 0 | No Rating |
| Drought | 99.6 | Very High |
| Hail | 14 | Very Low |
| Hurricane | — | Not Applicable |
| Ice Storm | — | Not Applicable |
| Landslide | 99.4 | Relatively High |
| Lightning | 25.4 | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | 4.8 | Very Low |
| Tsunami | 63.1 | Relatively Low |
| Volcanic Activity | — | Not Applicable |
| Winter Weather | 2.6 | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20.0, December 2025. See the methodology page for definitions, or the full San Luis Obispo County risk profile for disaster declarations, social vulnerability, and climate projection data.
Other cities in San Luis Obispo County:
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Frequently asked questions
What natural hazards is San Luis Obispo, CA at risk of?
San Luis Obispo 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 San Luis Obispo County, where San Luis Obispo is located, are drought, landslide, and wildfire.
What is San Luis Obispo's biggest natural hazard risk?
Drought is the highest-rated hazard for San Luis Obispo County, where San Luis Obispo is located, scoring 99.6 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (rated "Very High").
Is San Luis Obispo a high-risk area for natural disasters?
Yes — San Luis Obispo carries higher risk than most US counties for overall natural hazard risk, per FEMA's National Risk Index rating of "Relatively High" for San Luis Obispo County.
Has San Luis Obispo had tornadoes, hail, or flooding?
NOAA has recorded 2 tornado, 1 hail, 18 inland flooding events within 25 miles of San Luis Obispo since 2016.