Photo: KenShirriff · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, North Fair Oaks faces more hazard damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns, mostly from earthquakes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, North Fair Oaks gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns, #543 of 847 in California. Most of that expected damage is earthquakes (66%), then river and rain flooding (34%). Flood insurance has paid 10 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 North Fair Oaks 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 North Fair Oaks’ grade
Earthquakes are 66% of the building damage FEMA expects in North Fair Oaks, and North Fair Oaks’ rate of earthquakes damage is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 34% (higher than 74% of U.S. census tracts).
D #543 of 847 in California; higher expected damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns (21,298).
North Fair Oaks’ residents live in 4 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, North Fair Oaks has more expected damage per building than 64% of California towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $10.8M a year in losses across North Fair Oaks: $7.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does North Fair Oaks flood? Sometimes: 10 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in North Fair Oaks, from FEMA’s records: 2.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 57% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Pineapple Express - Southern3 claims · $37K
- The California Atmospheric River1 claim · $112K
- The Winter storm1 claim · $5K
North Fair Oaks 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.The storms North Fair Oaks remembers
None of the 19 disasters declared for San Mateo County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching North Fair Oaks itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 19983 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Winter Storms and Flooding, declared for San Mateo County
- 19781 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
- 20021 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county 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 North Fair Oaks after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the North Fair Oaks archive →North Fair Oaks and its neighbors
North Fair Oaks is 3rd of the 3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atherton | Dmore damage than 95% | earthquakes | 8 |
| Redwood City | Dmore damage than 95% | earthquakes | 62 |
| North Fair Oaks | Dmore damage than 95% | earthquakes | 10 |
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 North Fair Oaks 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.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in North Fair Oaks
Is North Fair Oaks at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, North Fair Oaks has higher expected damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #543 of 847 in California. Most of the expected damage is earthquakes (66%) and river and rain flooding (34%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does North Fair Oaks flood?
Flood insurance has paid 10 claims in North Fair Oaks since 1978, $744K in all, or 2.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 57% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Pineapple Express - Southern (3).
Is North Fair Oaks 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 North Fair Oaks?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for North Fair Oaks’ 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 North Fair Oaks?
By flood claims, Pineapple Express - Southern: 3 paid, $37K.
Is North Fair Oaks at risk from earthquakes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (66%), and North Fair Oaks’ rate for it is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in North Fair Oaks.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where North Fair Oaks’ 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.