Santa Cruz, CA
Local storm history & FEMA National Risk Index data
Santa Cruz is rated Relatively High for overall natural hazard risk — higher risk than most US counties — based on FEMA's National Risk Index for Santa Cruz County, CA. The county's highest-rated hazards are drought, earthquake, and landslide.
Storm events near Santa Cruz
NOAA-recorded tornado, hail, and flood events within 25 miles of Santa Cruz's center, 2016–2026 — the only hazards NOAA reports with exact coordinates, so these counts are specific to Santa Cruz 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 Cruz County's FEMA National Risk Index scores, covering Santa Cruz along with the rest of the county, not a Santa Cruz-specific figure.
| Hazard | NRI score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Wildfire | 97.3 | Relatively Moderate |
| Inland Flooding | 96.2 | Relatively High |
| Coastal Flooding | 49.2 | Relatively Low |
| Earthquake | 99.3 | Relatively High |
| Heat Wave | 86.6 | Relatively Moderate |
| Tornado | 18.7 | Very Low |
| Avalanche | 3.1 | Very Low |
| Cold Wave | 0 | No Rating |
| Drought | 99.4 | Relatively High |
| Hail | 33.2 | Very Low |
| Hurricane | — | Not Applicable |
| Ice Storm | — | Not Applicable |
| Landslide | 99.3 | Relatively High |
| Lightning | 59.2 | Relatively Moderate |
| Strong Wind | 7 | Very Low |
| Tsunami | 73.8 | Relatively Moderate |
| Volcanic Activity | — | Not Applicable |
| Winter Weather | 31.7 | Relatively Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20.0, December 2025. See the methodology page for definitions, or the full Santa Cruz County risk profile for disaster declarations, social vulnerability, and climate projection data.
Other cities in Santa Cruz County:
More on Santa Cruz County:
Frequently asked questions
What natural hazards is Santa Cruz, CA at risk of?
Santa Cruz 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 Santa Cruz County, where Santa Cruz is located, are drought, earthquake, and landslide.
What is Santa Cruz's biggest natural hazard risk?
Drought is the highest-rated hazard for Santa Cruz County, where Santa Cruz is located, scoring 99.4 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (rated "Relatively High").
Is Santa Cruz a high-risk area for natural disasters?
Yes — Santa Cruz carries higher risk than most US counties for overall natural hazard risk, per FEMA's National Risk Index rating of "Relatively High" for Santa Cruz County.
Has Santa Cruz had tornadoes, hail, or flooding?
NOAA has recorded 3 tornado, 29 hail, 129 inland flooding events within 25 miles of Santa Cruz since 2016.