Photo: Public domain · Public domainMore hazard damage per building is expected in Montara than in 94% of U.S. towns, led by earthquakes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Montara gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns, #479 of 847 in California. Most of that expected damage is earthquakes (39%), then tsunamis (38%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 1986.
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 Montara faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Earthquakes
Tsunamis
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 Montara’s grade
Earthquakes are 39% of the building damage FEMA expects in Montara, and Montara’s rate of earthquakes damage is in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts. Tsunamis add 38%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
D #479 of 847 in California; higher expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Montara’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical California town has higher expected damage than 92% of U.S. towns; within the state, Montara has more expected damage per building than 57% of California towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.6M a year in losses across Montara: $2.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Montara flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 1986
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Montara, from FEMA’s records: 1.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 66% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The December California Flooding1 claim · $35K
Montara isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: San Mateo County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Montara
Disasters that paid out in Montara itself (aid to households or repair grants to Montara), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2022Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides24 households applied for aid$36K aid approved
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 Montara after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Montara archive →Montara and its neighbors
Montara is 2nd of the 2 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Moss Beach | Dmore damage than 94% | earthquakes | — |
| Montara | Dmore damage than 94% | earthquakes | 2 |
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 Montara 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.
- Strong shaking or a sudden drop in the sea means head for high ground now.
- Learn the tsunami route signs near the shore.
- Stay away until officials say it’s safe.
- 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.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Montara
Is Montara at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Montara has higher expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #479 of 847 in California. Most of the expected damage is earthquakes (39%) and tsunamis (38%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Montara flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Montara since 1986, $37K in all, or 1.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 66% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from December California Flooding (1).
Is Montara 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 Montara?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Montara’s flood program. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Montara?
By FEMA money that reached Montara, Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2022): 24 households applied for aid, $36K approved. By flood claims, December California Flooding: 1 paid, $35K.
Is Montara at risk from earthquakes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (39%), and Montara’s rate for it is in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Montara.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Montara’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.