Photo: Javelinca · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA puts Burlingame’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 94% of U.S. towns, mostly from earthquakes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Burlingame gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns, #509 of 847 in California. Most of that expected damage is earthquakes (58%), then river and rain flooding (32%). Flood insurance has paid 65 claims here since 1978.
Graded on FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value (NRI v1.20, December 2025), weighted by where residents live; flood claims are shown, not graded. How hazard risk is graded
What stands out about Burlingame’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Burlingame faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Earthquakes
River and rain flooding
Coastal flooding
Shares are of FEMA’s expected building damage, the measure the grade uses; ranks compare each hazard’s building-damage rate with all 85,154 U.S. census tracts. In FEMA’s terms, river and rain flooding is FEMA’s “Inland Flooding” (rivers and streams overflowing their banks, or rain overwhelming drainage). FEMA defines coastal flooding as high or rising tides and storm surge, so surge damage is counted there. Drought isn’t listed: FEMA counts its losses in crops only.
What’s behind Burlingame’s grade
Earthquakes are 58% of the building damage FEMA expects in Burlingame, and Burlingame’s rate of earthquakes damage is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 9%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
D #509 of 847 in California; higher expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Burlingame’s residents live in 7 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical California town has higher expected damage than 92% of U.S. towns; within the state, Burlingame has more expected damage per building than 60% of California towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $43.0M a year in losses across Burlingame: $33.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Burlingame flood? Sometimes: 65 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Burlingame, from FEMA’s records: 4.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 59% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The California Atmospheric River4 claims · $368K
- The Pineapple Express - Southern1 claim · $195
Burlingame is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 9) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: San Mateo County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Burlingame
Disasters that paid out in Burlingame itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Burlingame), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Winter Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$197K to the City of Burlingame for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2022Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides46 households applied for aid$247K aid approved$444K to the City of Burlingame for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2020Wildfires97 households applied for aid$24K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2006Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$47K to the City of Burlingame for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2005Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, and Landslides$24K to the City of Burlingame for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
San Mateo County has had 19 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then floods. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Also 2 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in San Mateo County, 2010–2020.
Old photos of Burlingame after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Burlingame archive →Burlingame and its neighbors
Burlingame is 2nd of the 4 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hillsborough | Dmore damage than 88% | earthquakes | 8 |
| Burlingame | Dmore damage than 94% | earthquakes | 65 |
| Millbrae | Dmore damage than 95% | earthquakes | 31 |
| San Mateo | D−more damage than 95% | earthquakes | 49 |
Hazard risk = FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value, vs. the 21,298 U.S. towns we grade; the map is shaded by fifths of the same scale. Flood claims = paid federal flood insurance claims on record.
Get ready for what Burlingame faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- Turn around at flooded roads: a foot of moving water can carry off a car.
- Flood insurance usually takes 30 days to start, so buy it before the forecast.
- Keep papers and medicines up high, in a grab-and-go bag.
- Know your evacuation zone and the way off the coast.
- Storm surge comes fast: leave when you’re told, not when the water arrives.
- Move cars to high ground before king tides and nor’easters.
- Look up the address on FEMA’s flood map.
- Ask the seller or landlord whether it has ever flooded, and what flood insurance costs there.
- Get a flood insurance quote early: policies usually start 30 days after you buy.
- Burlingame residents get 05% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Burlingame
Is Burlingame at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Burlingame has higher expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #509 of 847 in California. Most of the expected damage is earthquakes (58%) and river and rain flooding (32%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Burlingame flood?
Flood insurance has paid 65 claims in Burlingame since 1978, $2.7M in all, or 4.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 59% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from California Atmospheric River (4).
Is Burlingame in a flood zone?
Flood zones are drawn street by street, so the answer depends on the address: look it up on FEMA’s flood map. In San Mateo County, 31% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.8% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Burlingame?
Burlingame is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 9), which takes 05% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Burlingame?
By FEMA money that reached Burlingame, Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2022): 46 households applied for aid, $247K approved, and $444K to the City of Burlingame for repairs. By flood claims, California Atmospheric River: 4 paid, $368K.
Is Burlingame at risk from earthquakes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (58%), and Burlingame’s rate for it is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Burlingame.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Burlingame’s residents lived in the 2020 census; OpenFEMA: NFIP redacted claims, multiple-loss properties, community status book and residential penetration rates, housing assistance (owners and renters), public assistance funded projects, hazard mitigation properties and disaster declarations. Homes: Census ACS 2020–24. Preparedness tips: Ready.gov. FEMA’s model is an average of expected damage, not a forecast. How hazard risk is graded.