Photo: JAAbboud · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Woodside than in 94% of U.S. towns, mostly from earthquakes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Woodside gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns, #490 of 847 in California. Most of that expected damage is earthquakes (63%), then river and rain flooding (31%). 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 Woodside 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 Woodside’s grade
Earthquakes are 63% of the building damage FEMA expects in Woodside, and Woodside’s rate of earthquakes damage is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts. Wildfire adds 3%, at a rate in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
D #490 of 847 in California; higher expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Woodside’s residents live in 3 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, Woodside has more expected damage per building than 58% of California towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $11.3M a year in losses across Woodside: $8.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Woodside flood? Sometimes: 10 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Woodside, from FEMA’s records: 4.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 59% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Pineapple Express - Southern4 claims · $341K
- The California Atmospheric River3 claims · $308K
Woodside 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.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Woodside
Disasters that paid out in Woodside itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Woodside), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2022Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides35 households applied for aid$296K aid approved$291K to the Town of Woodside for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2017Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides$176K to the Town of Woodside for repairs
- 2006Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$4K to the Town of Woodside for repairs
- 2005Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, and Landslides$20K to the Town of Woodside 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 Woodside after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Woodside archive →Woodside and its neighbors
Woodside has the lowest expected damage per building of the 5 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Woodside | Dmore damage than 94% | earthquakes | 10 |
| Menlo Park | Dmore damage than 94% | earthquakes | 16 |
| Atherton | Dmore damage than 95% | earthquakes | 8 |
| Portola Valley | Dmore damage than 95% | earthquakes | 12 |
| Redwood City | Dmore damage than 95% | earthquakes | 62 |
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 Woodside 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 Woodside
Is Woodside at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Woodside has higher expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #490 of 847 in California. Most of the expected damage is earthquakes (63%) and river and rain flooding (31%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Woodside flood?
Flood insurance has paid 10 claims in Woodside since 1978, $679K in all, or 4.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 59% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Pineapple Express - Southern (4).
Is Woodside 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 Woodside?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Woodside’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 Woodside?
By FEMA money that reached Woodside, Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2022): 35 households applied for aid, $296K approved, and $291K to the Town of Woodside for repairs. By flood claims, Pineapple Express - Southern: 4 paid, $341K.
Is Woodside at risk from earthquakes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (63%), and Woodside’s rate for it is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Woodside.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Woodside’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.