Photo: Coolcaesar at en.wikipedia · CC BY-SA 3.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Cupertino than in 94% of U.S. towns, mostly from earthquakes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Cupertino gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns, #469 of 847 in California. Most of that expected damage is earthquakes (59%), then river and rain flooding (40%). Flood insurance has paid 10 claims here since 1995.
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 Cupertino 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
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 Cupertino’s grade
Earthquakes are 59% of the building damage FEMA expects in Cupertino, and Cupertino’s rate of earthquakes damage is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 40% (higher than 82% of U.S. census tracts).
D #469 of 847 in California; higher expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Cupertino’s residents live in 16 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, Cupertino has more expected damage per building than 55% of California towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $60.1M a year in losses across Cupertino: $46.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Cupertino flood? Sometimes: 10 flood claims since 1995
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Cupertino, from FEMA’s records: 0.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 91% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Pineapple Express - Southern4 claims · $84K
Cupertino is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 6) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Santa Clara County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Cupertino
Disasters that paid out in Cupertino itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Cupertino), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2022Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides9 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
- 2017Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides$431K to the City of Cupertino for repairs
Santa Clara 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 3 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Santa Clara County, 2002–2020.
Old photos of Cupertino after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Cupertino archive →Cupertino and its neighbors
Cupertino is 2nd of the 6 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sunnyvale | Dmore damage than 92% | earthquakes | 5 |
| Cupertino | Dmore damage than 94% | earthquakes | 10 |
| Saratoga | Dmore damage than 94% | earthquakes | 11 |
| Los Altos | Dmore damage than 95% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| San Jose | D−more damage than 97% | earthquakes | 389 |
| Santa Clara | D−more damage than 98% | river and rain flooding | 16 |
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 Cupertino 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.
- 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.
- Cupertino residents get 20% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Cupertino
Is Cupertino at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Cupertino has higher expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #469 of 847 in California. Most of the expected damage is earthquakes (59%) and river and rain flooding (40%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Cupertino flood?
Flood insurance has paid 10 claims in Cupertino since 1995, $812K in all, or 0.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 91% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Pineapple Express - Southern (4).
Is Cupertino 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 Santa Clara County, 22% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Cupertino?
Cupertino is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 6), which takes 20% 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 Cupertino?
By FEMA money that reached Cupertino, Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides (2017): $431K to the City of Cupertino for repairs. By flood claims, Pineapple Express - Southern: 4 paid, $84K.
Is Cupertino at risk from earthquakes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (59%), and Cupertino’s rate for it is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Cupertino.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Cupertino’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.