Natural Disaster Risk in Santa Maria
California
Risk Summary for Santa Maria
Santa Maria scores 5.9/10 (Moderate risk), above the U.S. average of 4.5. The leading hazard is Drought.
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: Santa Maria, California
Santa Maria is a city of 59,148 residents in Santa Barbara County, in the southwestern United States with Pacific Coast influence. The area experiences dry summers and mild, wet winters with pronounced drought cycles, with a critical fire season from late summer through fall shaping the pattern of natural hazards that residents encounter. Understanding the local risk profile is essential for anyone living in, moving to, or owning property in Santa Maria.
FEMA rates Santa Maria's composite natural disaster risk at 5.9 out of 10 — moderate risk. The area faces significant drought exposure, where below-average precipitation over extended periods strains water resources and drives secondary hazards like wildfire and crop failure. Residents should also account for landslide and earthquake risk in their preparedness planning.
Santa Maria's risk score, near the 5.9/10 state average and above the U.S. national average of 4.5/10. Of the 18 hazard categories tracked by FEMA for Santa Barbara County, the highest-scoring are drought, landslide, and earthquake. These scores reflect county-level data and represent the baseline risk that all communities in the county share.
With a moderate risk rating, Santa Maria residents are well-served by maintaining standard preparedness practices — an emergency supply kit, awareness of local hazard seasonality, and insurance that covers the top local risks. Periodic review of coverage for drought is recommended.
What this means for Santa Maria: Drought preparedness
- Adopt water-efficient landscaping and fixtures to reduce strain during extended dry periods.
- Be aware that prolonged drought raises secondary risks including wildfire and foundation soil movement.
- Follow local water-use restrictions, which may be enacted during severe drought conditions.
Local Factors for Santa Maria
These city-level factors differentiate Santa Maria from other communities in Santa Barbara County and provide geographic context for its hazard exposure.
Population
59,148
UrbanGeographic Zone
Pacific Coast
Tsunami, coastal flood & wildfire risk
Climate Band
Mild Temperate
Latitude 35.0°
Flood Terrain
Minimal — county topography limits flood risk
Flood score: 1.0/10
Wildfire Exposure
High — long dry fire season
Fire score: 9.9/10
Coordinates
34.9548° N, 120.4904° W
Santa Barbara 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 Santa Maria
Last 12 months · Source: Open-Meteo archive
Notable Weather Days (last 12 months)
ZIP Codes in Santa Maria
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.