Watsonville, CA
Local storm history & FEMA National Risk Index data
Watsonville 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 Watsonville
NOAA-recorded tornado, hail, and flood events within 25 miles of Watsonville's center, 2016–2026 — the only hazards NOAA reports with exact coordinates, so these counts are specific to Watsonville 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 Watsonville along with the rest of the county, not a Watsonville-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 Watsonville, CA at risk of?
Watsonville 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 Watsonville is located, are drought, earthquake, and landslide.
What is Watsonville's biggest natural hazard risk?
Drought is the highest-rated hazard for Santa Cruz County, where Watsonville is located, scoring 99.4 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (rated "Relatively High").
Is Watsonville a high-risk area for natural disasters?
Yes — Watsonville 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 Watsonville had tornadoes, hail, or flooding?
NOAA has recorded 5 tornado, 43 hail, 171 inland flooding events within 25 miles of Watsonville since 2016.