Santa Paula, California: natural disaster risk
How exposed Santa Paula is to floods, storms and other hazards, from FEMA and NOAA records for Ventura County.
Santa Paula is a city of 31,376 people in Ventura County, California. FEMA's National Risk Index rates Ventura County relatively high for natural hazards overall, higher than most of the US. The costliest hazards there are earthquake, inland flooding and wildfire, with about $762 million in expected losses a year across the county. The weather service has logged 165 storm reports in the county since 1982, including 8 tornadoes and 97 floods. About 1.6% of homes in the county carry federal flood insurance.
Risk figures are for Ventura County. FEMA National Risk Index December 2025; NOAA Storm Events; US Census Bureau ACS 2020 to 2024. Updated November 6, 2026.
Top risks in Santa Paula
Full Ventura 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.
- Clear dry plants and debris within 5 feet of the house.
- Get home insurance quotes early; availability varies by area.
All hazards
| Hazard | Rating | A year |
|---|---|---|
| Earthquake | $392M | |
| Inland flooding | $313M | |
| Wildfire | $50M | |
| Heat wave | $2M | |
| Tornado | $1M | |
| Drought | $994K | |
| Tsunami | $790K | |
| Landslide | $651K | |
| Coastal flooding | $599K | |
| Lightning | $536K | |
| Strong wind | $493K | |
| Hail | $302K |
Homes in Santa Paula
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 Ventura County
More cities in Ventura County
Other cities in California
All ›Common questions about Santa Paula
Is Santa Paula safe from natural disasters?
Santa Paula is in Ventura County, which FEMA's National Risk Index rates relatively high overall, higher than most of the US. The biggest hazards are earthquake, inland flooding, wildfire. No place is free of risk, so check the flood map and insurance for any home you consider.
What natural disasters happen in Santa Paula?
By expected yearly losses in Ventura County, the top hazards are earthquake (High), inland flooding (Very High), wildfire (High). Ventura County has been part of 51 federal disaster or emergency declarations for natural events.
Does Santa Paula get tornadoes?
Yes. NOAA records list 8 tornadoes in Ventura County since 1950; the strongest was an F0 tornado on November 9, 1982. FEMA rates tornado risk in the county low.
Do I need flood insurance in Santa Paula?
Standard home insurance does not cover floods. In Ventura County, about 1.6% 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.