More hazard damage per building is expected in Twin Lakes than in 90% of U.S. towns, mostly from earthquakes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Twin Lakes gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns, #341 of 847 in California. Most of that expected damage is earthquakes (58%), then river and rain flooding (23%). Flood insurance has paid 3 claims here since 2023.
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 Twin Lakes 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
Tsunamis
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 Twin Lakes’ grade
Earthquakes are 58% of the building damage FEMA expects in Twin Lakes, and Twin Lakes’ rate of earthquakes damage is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts. Tsunamis add 18%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
D #341 of 847 in California; higher expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Twin Lakes’ residents live in 2 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, Twin Lakes has less expected damage per building than 60% of California towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.5M a year in losses across Twin Lakes: $2.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Twin Lakes flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 2023
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Twin Lakes, from FEMA’s records: 1.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 77% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The California Atmospheric River2 claims · $754K
- The December California Flooding1 claim · $63K
Twin Lakes isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Santa Cruz County.The storms Twin Lakes remembers
None of the 24 disasters declared for Santa Cruz County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching Twin Lakes itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 20233 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides, declared for Santa Cruz County
Santa Cruz County has had 24 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 6 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Santa Cruz County, 2002–2020.
Old photos of Twin Lakes after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Twin Lakes archive →Twin Lakes and its neighbors
Twin Lakes 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live Oak | Dmore damage than 90% | earthquakes | 3 |
| Twin Lakes | Dmore damage than 90% | earthquakes | 3 |
| Pleasure Point | Dmore damage than 93% | earthquakes | 8 |
| Santa Cruz | Dmore damage than 94% | earthquakes | 110 |
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 Twin Lakes 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.
- 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.
- 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 Twin Lakes
Is Twin Lakes at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Twin Lakes has higher expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #341 of 847 in California. Most of the expected damage is earthquakes (58%) and river and rain flooding (23%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Twin Lakes flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in Twin Lakes since 2023, $818K in all, or 1.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 77% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from California Atmospheric River (2).
Is Twin Lakes 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 Cruz County, 33% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 2.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Twin Lakes?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Twin Lakes’ 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 Twin Lakes?
By flood claims, California Atmospheric River: 2 paid, $754K.
Is Twin Lakes at risk from earthquakes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (58%), and Twin Lakes’ rate for it is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Twin Lakes.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Twin Lakes’ 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.