NaturalDisasterRisk
US Hazard Intelligence

Natural Disaster Risk
Santa Maria, CA

2026 Risk Report ยท FEMA ยท NOAA ยท USGS

Overall Risk
61
/100 ยท High

Risk Score Overviewโ€” Santa Maria

Hazard Breakdown
๐ŸŒŠ Flood Risk โ†’99/100 โ€” Very High
โšก Earthquake Risk โ†’90/100 โ€” Very High
๐Ÿ”ฅ Wildfire Risk โ†’92/100 โ€” Very High

๐ŸŒŠ Flood Risk โ€” Santa Maria

99Very High
โ—Very High ยท 99/100

Santa Maria has a flood risk score of 99/100, classified as Very High. This score is derived from FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data, flood zone designations, and NOAA precipitation records.

FEMA Flood Zones: Properties in Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHAs โ€” Zones A and V) face the highest risk and are required to carry flood insurance if they have federally-backed mortgages.

๐ŸŒช๏ธ Tornado Risk โ€” Santa Maria

10Very Low
โ—Very Low ยท 10/100

Tornado risk score: 10/100 โ€” Very Low. Based on NOAA Storm Events Database historical tornado tracks and frequency data.

View Full Tornado Risk Report โ†’

โšก Earthquake Risk โ€” Santa Maria

90Very High
โ—Very High ยท 90/100

Earthquake risk score: 90/100 โ€” Very High. Based on USGS National Seismic Hazard Model and historical seismic event data for this region.

View Full Earthquake Risk Report โ†’

๐Ÿ”ฅ Wildfire Risk โ€” Santa Maria

92Very High
โ—Very High ยท 92/100

Wildfire risk score: 92/100 โ€” Very High. Based on USDA Forest Service wildfire risk data and historical fire perimeter records.

View Full Wildfire Risk Report โ†’

๐Ÿ’ฐ What This Means for Home Insurance in Santa Maria

๐ŸŒŠ Flood Insurance

Standard homeowners policies do not cover flood damage. Properties in FEMA flood zones may be required to purchase NFIP coverage. Flood insurance is strongly recommended in this area.

โšก Earthquake Insurance

Earthquake damage is excluded from standard homeowners policies. A separate earthquake rider or policy is required. Given the elevated risk, this coverage is worth considering.

๐Ÿ”ฅ Wildfire & Wind

Homeowners insurance typically covers wind and fire damage, but high-risk areas may see coverage restrictions or surcharges. Review your policy limits.

๐Ÿ“ Nearby Cities in California

โ“ Frequently Asked Questions โ€” Santa Maria

Is Santa Maria in a flood zone?

Santa Maria has a flood risk score of 99/100, classified as Very High. Check the FEMA Flood Map Service Center for specific parcel-level flood zone designations.

Does Santa Maria get tornadoes?

Santa Maria has a tornado risk score of 10/100. Tornadoes are rare in this area.

What is the earthquake risk in Santa Maria?

Santa Maria has an earthquake risk score of 90/100 (Very High), based on USGS seismic hazard assessments and historical earthquake data.

Is Santa Maria at risk for wildfires?

Santa Maria's wildfire risk score is 92/100 (Very High), reflecting proximity to wildland-urban interface areas and historical fire perimeter data.

How does natural disaster risk affect home insurance in Santa Maria?

Areas with higher risk scores typically see higher home insurance premiums. Standard homeowners insurance does not cover floods โ€” a separate NFIP or private flood policy is required. Earthquake damage also requires a separate rider or policy. Check with a local insurance agent for coverage recommendations specific to Santa Maria.

Risk Score Scale

0โ€“20 โ€” Very Low
21โ€“40 โ€” Low
41โ€“60 โ€” Moderate
61โ€“80 โ€” High
81โ€“100 โ€” Very High