Natural Disaster Risk in San Mateo
California
Risk Summary for San Mateo
San Mateo scores 5.9/10 (Moderate risk), above the U.S. average of 4.5. The leading hazard is Earthquake.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Scores
How it compares
Live Conditions
🏠 What this means for insurance
Average risk — standard coverage usually sufficient
This area carries average natural disaster risk. A standard homeowners or renters policy should cover common events, but review the exclusions for floods and earthquakes, which are almost never included by default.
This is general information only. Consult a licensed insurance professional for advice specific to your property.
Natural Hazard Profile: San Mateo, California
San Mateo, in San Mateo County, is a city of approximately 43,276 residents situated in the western mountain region near the Pacific Coast. Its Mediterranean climate brings dry summers and mild, wet winters with pronounced drought cycles, and in particular a critical fire season from late summer through fall. These conditions collectively define the natural hazard environment that San Mateo residents and property owners must navigate.
San Mateo's overall natural disaster risk is rated 5.9/10 (Moderate) by FEMA's National Risk Index. The area's position within a seismically active region makes earthquake preparedness a top priority for residents and property owners alike. Secondary hazards include landslide and coastal flood.
Within California, San Mateo's risk is, near the 5.9/10 state average. Nationally, it ranks above the U.S. national average of 4.5/10. FEMA's analysis of San Mateo County identifies earthquake as the foremost hazard, followed by landslide and coastal flood. These rankings reflect the relative frequency and severity of each hazard type in the local environment.
San Mateo's moderate risk profile means that while catastrophic events are less frequent, they do occur. Standard homeowners insurance typically covers many common hazards here, but confirming that earthquake exposure is adequately protected is a worthwhile step for property owners.
What this means for San Mateo: Earthquake preparedness
- Identify "drop, cover, and hold on" spots in each room and keep an emergency kit with water for at least 72 hours.
- Standard homeowners insurance excludes earthquake damage — a separate earthquake policy or endorsement is needed.
- Secure heavy furniture, water heaters, and shelving to wall studs to reduce injury and damage during shaking.
Local Factors for San Mateo
These city-level factors differentiate San Mateo from other communities in San Mateo County and provide geographic context for its hazard exposure.
Population
43,276
SuburbanGeographic Zone
Pacific Coast
Tsunami, coastal flood & wildfire risk
Climate Band
Moderate Continental
Latitude 37.5°
Flood Terrain
Minimal — county topography limits flood risk
Flood score: 1.0/10
Wildfire Exposure
High — long dry fire season
Fire score: 9.3/10
Coordinates
37.5384° N, 122.3045° W
San Mateo County
Population and coordinates from SimpleMaps US Cities data. Hazard scores from FEMA National Risk Index. Geographic classification derived from coordinates.
Recent Climate Data for San Mateo
Last 12 months · Source: Open-Meteo archive
Notable Weather Days (last 12 months)
ZIP Codes in San Mateo
Other cities in California
Data source: FEMA National Risk Index (NRI). Scores normalized to 1–10 across all US counties. City scores inherit county-level FEMA data. For informational purposes only.