Redwood City, California: natural disaster risk
How exposed Redwood City is to floods, storms and other hazards, from FEMA and NOAA records for San Mateo County.
Redwood City is a city of 82,447 people in San Mateo County, California. FEMA's National Risk Index rates San Mateo County relatively high for natural hazards overall, higher than most of the US. The costliest hazards there are earthquake, inland flooding and coastal flooding, with about $740 million in expected losses a year across the county. The weather service has logged 164 storm reports in the county since 1958, including 4 tornadoes and 97 floods. About 1.8% of homes in the county carry federal flood insurance.
Risk figures are for San Mateo County. FEMA National Risk Index December 2025; NOAA Storm Events; US Census Bureau ACS 2020 to 2024. Updated November 6, 2026.
Top risks in Redwood City
Full San Mateo 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.
- Learn your evacuation zone; it is set by surge risk, not by distance from the beach.
- Ask about flood insurance even outside a mapped high-risk zone.
All hazards
| Hazard | Rating | A year |
|---|---|---|
| Earthquake | $497M | |
| Inland flooding | $212M | |
| Coastal flooding | $9M | |
| Tsunami | $7M | |
| Landslide | $4M | |
| Heat wave | $4M | |
| Drought | $2M | |
| Wildfire | $2M | |
| Tornado | $627K | |
| Lightning | $549K | |
| Strong wind | $222K | |
| Hail | $43K |
Homes in Redwood City
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 San Mateo County
Common questions about Redwood City
Is Redwood City safe from natural disasters?
Redwood City is in San Mateo County, which FEMA's National Risk Index rates relatively high overall, higher than most of the US. The biggest hazards are earthquake, inland flooding, coastal flooding. No place is free of risk, so check the flood map and insurance for any home you consider.
What natural disasters happen in Redwood City?
By expected yearly losses in San Mateo County, the top hazards are earthquake (High), inland flooding (High), coastal flooding (High). San Mateo County has been part of 22 federal disaster or emergency declarations for natural events.
Does Redwood City get tornadoes?
Yes. NOAA records list 4 tornadoes in San Mateo County since 1950; the strongest was an F1 tornado on March 20, 2005 near South San Francisco. FEMA rates tornado risk in the county low.
Do I need flood insurance in Redwood City?
Standard home insurance does not cover floods. In San Mateo County, about 1.8% of homes have federal flood insurance, and FEMA rates inland flooding risk high. Check the FEMA flood map for your address and get a quote even outside a high-risk zone.