Photo: JaGa · CC BY-SA 3.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Santa Clara than in 98% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Santa Clara gets a D− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns, #705 of 847 in California. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (51%), then earthquakes (49%). Flood insurance has paid 16 claims here since 1979.
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 Santa Clara faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
River and rain flooding
Earthquakes
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 Santa Clara’s grade
River and rain flooding is 51% of the building damage FEMA expects in Santa Clara, and Santa Clara’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts. Earthquakes add 49%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
D− #705 of 847 in California; higher expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Santa Clara’s residents live in 30 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, Santa Clara has more expected damage per building than 83% of California towns.
Among the 400 U.S. cities of 100,000 or more, Santa Clara has higher expected damage per building than 98% (#392 of 400). Because it is so big, its total expected yearly loss, $158M, is the 58th largest of those 400.
Does Santa Clara flood? Sometimes: 16 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Santa Clara, from FEMA’s records: 0.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 95% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The California Atmospheric River1 claim · $863
- The Pineapple Express - Southern1 claim · $127K
Santa Clara is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Santa Clara County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Santa Clara
Disasters that paid out in Santa Clara itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Santa Clara), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2020Wildfires783 households applied for aid$6K aid approved
- 2017Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides$38K to the City of Santa Clara for repairs
- 2017Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides$37K to the City of Santa Clara 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 Santa Clara after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Santa Clara archive →Santa Clara and its neighbors
Santa Clara is 4th of the 4 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
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 Santa Clara faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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.
- Santa Clara residents get 15% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Santa Clara
Is Santa Clara at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Santa Clara has higher expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk, #705 of 847 in California. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (51%) and earthquakes (49%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Santa Clara flood?
Flood insurance has paid 16 claims in Santa Clara since 1979, $311K in all, or 0.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 95% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from California Atmospheric River (1).
Is Santa Clara 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 Santa Clara?
Santa Clara is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7), which takes 15% 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 Santa Clara?
By FEMA money that reached Santa Clara, Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides (2017): $38K to the City of Santa Clara for repairs. By flood claims, California Atmospheric River: 1 paid, $863.
Is Santa Clara at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (51%), and Santa Clara’s rate for it is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Santa Clara.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Santa Clara’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.