Natural Disaster Risk in San Francisco, CA
2026 Risk Report — Flood, Tornado, Earthquake, Wildfire — Powered by FEMA, NOAA, USGS
Overall Risk Summary — San Francisco
Flood Risk — San Francisco
San Francisco has a flood risk score of 45/100, classified as Moderate.
This score is derived from FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data, flood zone designations, and NOAA precipitation records.
Tornado Risk — San Francisco
Tornado risk score: 3/100 — Very Low
Based on NOAA Storm Events Database historical tornado tracks and frequency data.
Earthquake Risk — San Francisco
Earthquake risk score: 96/100 — Very High
Based on USGS National Seismic Hazard Model and historical seismic event data.
Wildfire Risk — San Francisco
Wildfire risk score: 65/100 — High
Based on USDA Forest Service wildfire risk data and historical fire perimeter records.
What This Means for Home Insurance in San Francisco
Standard homeowners policies do not cover flood damage. Properties in FEMA flood zones may be required to purchase separate NFIP coverage. Flood insurance is strongly recommended in this area.
Earthquake damage is excluded from standard homeowners policies. A separate earthquake rider or policy is required. Given the elevated earthquake risk, this coverage is worth considering.
Homeowners insurance typically covers wind and fire damage, but high-risk areas may see coverage restrictions or higher premiums.
Compare Nearby Cities
| City | Overall | Flood | Tornado | Earthquake |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco (current) | 44 | 45 | 3 | 96 |
| Los Angeles | — | — | — | — |
Recent Significant Events — San Francisco
| Date | Hazard | Description | Fatalities | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1989-10-17 | earthquake | Loma Prieta Earthquake — 63 deaths, World Series delayed | 63 | USGS |
| 1906-04-18 | earthquake | Great San Francisco Earthquake and Fire — 3,000+ deaths | 3000 | USGS |
Frequently Asked Questions — San Francisco
Is San Francisco in a flood zone?
San Francisco has a flood risk score of 45/100, which is considered Moderate. Check the FEMA Flood Map Service Center for specific parcel-level flood zone designations.
Does San Francisco get tornadoes?
San Francisco has a tornado risk score of 3/100. Tornadoes are rare in this area.
What is the earthquake risk in San Francisco?
San Francisco has an earthquake risk score of 96/100 (Very High). This is based on USGS seismic hazard assessments and historical earthquake data.
Is San Francisco at risk for wildfires?
San Francisco's wildfire risk score is 65/100 (High). This reflects proximity to wildland-urban interface areas and historical fire data.
How does natural disaster risk affect home insurance in San Francisco?
Areas with higher flood, earthquake, or wildfire scores typically see higher home insurance premiums. Standard homeowners insurance does not cover floods — a separate NFIP or private flood policy is required. Earthquake coverage also requires a separate rider or policy.