Gilroy, California: natural disaster risk
How exposed Gilroy is to floods, storms and other hazards, from FEMA and NOAA records for Santa Clara County.
Gilroy is a city of 59,004 people in Santa Clara County, California. FEMA's National Risk Index rates Santa Clara County very high for natural hazards overall, higher than most of the US. The costliest hazards there are earthquake, inland flooding and heat wave, with about $2 billion in expected losses a year across the county. The weather service has logged 259 storm reports in the county since 1951, including 6 tornadoes and 167 floods. About 1.7% of homes in the county carry federal flood insurance.
Risk figures are for Santa Clara County. FEMA National Risk Index December 2025; NOAA Storm Events; US Census Bureau ACS 2020 to 2024. Updated November 6, 2026.
Top risks in Gilroy
Full Santa Clara County report ›- Ask whether an older house is bolted to its foundation.
- Consider separate earthquake insurance where risk is high.
- Check the FEMA flood map for your address, and ask the seller or landlord about past flooding.
- Price a flood policy now. Most new federal policies take 30 days to start.
- Check that cooling works before summer.
- Know where the nearest cooling center is.
All hazards
| Hazard | Rating | A year |
|---|---|---|
| Earthquake | $1.2B | |
| Inland flooding | $720M | |
| Heat wave | $23M | |
| Drought | $11M | |
| Wildfire | $10M | |
| Coastal flooding | $7M | |
| Landslide | $5M | |
| Tornado | $2M | |
| Lightning | $254K | |
| Hail | $197K | |
| Tsunami | $142K | |
| Strong wind | $81K |
Homes in Gilroy
Older homes and mobile homes usually take more damage in storms, floods and earthquakes. Ask about roof age, flood history and retrofits before you buy or rent.
Strongest tornadoes in Santa Clara County
More cities in Santa Clara County
Other cities in California
All ›Common questions about Gilroy
Is Gilroy safe from natural disasters?
Gilroy is in Santa Clara County, which FEMA's National Risk Index rates very high overall, higher than most of the US. The biggest hazards are earthquake, inland flooding, heat wave. No place is free of risk, so check the flood map and insurance for any home you consider.
What natural disasters happen in Gilroy?
By expected yearly losses in Santa Clara County, the top hazards are earthquake (Very High), inland flooding (Very High), heat wave (High). Santa Clara County has been part of 23 federal disaster or emergency declarations for natural events.
Does Gilroy get tornadoes?
Yes. NOAA records list 6 tornadoes in Santa Clara County since 1950; the strongest was an F2 tornado on May 5, 1998 near Sunnyvale. FEMA rates tornado risk in the county low.
Do I need flood insurance in Gilroy?
Standard home insurance does not cover floods. In Santa Clara County, about 1.7% of homes have federal flood insurance, and FEMA rates inland flooding risk very high. Check the FEMA flood map for your address and get a quote even outside a high-risk zone.