Photo: Ardenmachro · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in East Palo Alto than in 93% of U.S. towns, mostly from earthquakes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, East Palo Alto gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns, #445 of 847 in California. Most of that expected damage is earthquakes (60%), then river and rain flooding (39%). Flood insurance has paid 23 claims here since 1998.
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 East Palo Alto’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What East Palo Alto 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 East Palo Alto’s grade
Earthquakes are 60% of the building damage FEMA expects in East Palo Alto, and East Palo Alto’s rate of earthquakes damage is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 39% (higher than 80% of U.S. census tracts).
D #445 of 847 in California; higher expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns (21,298).
East Palo Alto’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, East Palo Alto has more expected damage per building than 52% of California towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $14.4M a year in losses across East Palo Alto: $10.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does East Palo Alto flood? Sometimes: 23 flood claims since 1998
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in East Palo Alto, from FEMA’s records: 2.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 56% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Pineapple Express - Southern17 claims · $129K
- The California Atmospheric River1 claim · $126K
East Palo Alto is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 8) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: San Mateo County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to East Palo Alto
Disasters that paid out in East Palo Alto itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of East Palo Alto), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2022Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides14 households applied for aid$300 aid approved$134K to the City of East Palo Alto for repairs1 flood claim 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 East Palo Alto after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the East Palo Alto archive →East Palo Alto and its neighbors
East Palo Alto has the lowest expected damage per building of the 3 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| East Palo Alto | Dmore damage than 93% | earthquakes | 23 |
| Menlo Park | Dmore damage than 94% | earthquakes | 16 |
| Palo Alto | D−more damage than 96% | earthquakes | 376 |
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 East Palo Alto 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.
- East Palo Alto residents get 10% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in East Palo Alto
Is East Palo Alto at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, East Palo Alto has higher expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #445 of 847 in California. Most of the expected damage is earthquakes (60%) and river and rain flooding (39%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does East Palo Alto flood?
Flood insurance has paid 23 claims in East Palo Alto since 1998, $324K in all, or 2.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 56% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Pineapple Express - Southern (17).
Is East Palo Alto 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 East Palo Alto?
East Palo Alto is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 8), which takes 10% 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 East Palo Alto?
By FEMA money that reached East Palo Alto, Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2022): 14 households applied for aid, $300 approved, and $134K to the City of East Palo Alto for repairs. By flood claims, Pineapple Express - Southern: 17 paid, $129K.
Is East Palo Alto at risk from earthquakes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (60%), and East Palo Alto’s rate for it is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in East Palo Alto.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where East Palo Alto’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.