Photo: Dicklyon · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA puts Pacifica’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 94% of U.S. towns, mostly from earthquakes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Pacifica 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 (62%), then river and rain flooding (32%). Flood insurance has paid 76 claims here since 1982.
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 Pacifica’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Pacifica 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 Pacifica’s grade
Earthquakes are 62% of the building damage FEMA expects in Pacifica, and Pacifica’s rate of earthquakes damage is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts. Tsunamis add 5%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
D #469 of 847 in California; higher expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Pacifica’s residents live in 8 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, Pacifica has more expected damage per building than 55% of California towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $26.7M a year in losses across Pacifica: $20.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Pacifica flood? Sometimes: 76 flood claims since 1982
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Pacifica, from FEMA’s records: 5.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 61% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Pineapple Express - Southern12 claims · $223K
- The California Atmospheric River2 claims · $193K
Pacifica is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 8) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: San Mateo County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Pacifica
Disasters that paid out in Pacifica itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Pacifica), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2022Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides53 households applied for aid$143K aid approved$985K to the City of Pacifica for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2020Wildfires36 households applied for aid$500 aid approved
- 2017Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides$1.3M to the City of Pacifica for repairs
- 2017Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides$46K to the City of Pacifica for repairs
- 2006Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$700K to the City of Pacifica for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2005Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, and Landslides$2.2M to the City of Pacifica for repairs
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 Pacifica after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Pacifica archive →Pacifica and its neighbors
Pacifica 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daly City | Dmore damage than 92% | earthquakes | 23 |
| Pacifica | Dmore damage than 94% | earthquakes | 76 |
| San Bruno | Dmore damage than 94% | earthquakes | 22 |
| South San Francisco | D−more damage than 96% | earthquakes | 76 |
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 Pacifica 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.
- Pacifica 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 Pacifica
Is Pacifica at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Pacifica 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 (62%) and river and rain flooding (32%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Pacifica flood?
Flood insurance has paid 76 claims in Pacifica since 1982, $1.1M in all, or 5.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 61% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Pineapple Express - Southern (12).
Is Pacifica 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 Pacifica?
Pacifica 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 Pacifica?
By FEMA money that reached Pacifica, Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, and Landslides (2005): $2.2M to the City of Pacifica for repairs. By flood claims, Pineapple Express - Southern: 12 paid, $223K.
Is Pacifica at risk from earthquakes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (62%), and Pacifica’s rate for it is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Pacifica.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Pacifica’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.