Enter any address in San Francisco County, California to see its FEMA flood zone
Flooding events, including coastal floods and flash floods, have been the most frequent types of severe weather impacting San Francisco County over the last 30 years. Recent events include a series of storm systems from December 19-25, 2025, which caused significant travel disruptions, and an atmospheric river event on February 3-4, 2025, bringing heavy rain.
National Flood Insurance Program data indicates that properties in Zone A have experienced the most claims, with an average payout of $18,674 and water depths averaging 2.2 feet. Properties in Zone X have seen fewer claims but with a substantially higher average payout of $49,856 and an average water depth of 15.5 feet. Residents in coastal areas, as well as those in Zone A and Zone X, should pay particular attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
59 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
San Francisco County, California has recorded 112 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 5 flash floods and 98 river or area floods. The county has received 11 federal disaster declarations, 3 of which involved flooding or coastal storms. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1989–2023)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, And Mudslides | Flood | Mar 9, 2023 |
| Severe Winter Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, And Mudslides | Severe Storm | Feb 21, 2023 |
| Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, And Mudslides | Flood | Jan 8, 2023 |
| Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, And Mudslides | Flood | Dec 27, 2022 |
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Hurricane Katrina Evacuation | Hurricane | Aug 29, 2005 |
| Severe Winter Storms And Flooding | Severe Storm | Feb 2, 1998 |
| Severe Storms, Flooding, Mud And Landslides | Severe Storm | Dec 28, 1996 |
| Severe Winter Storms, Flooding Landslides, Mud Flow | Severe Storm | Feb 13, 1995 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flood | Dec 25, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Dec 22, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Feb 13, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Feb 4, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jan 31, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Dec 29, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Nov 22, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jan 21, 2024 | 0.01K |
| Flood | Feb 20, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Feb 4, 2024 | 0.01K |
Flood — Dec 25, 2025
A series of storm systems impacted the Bay Area and Central Coast from December 19 to 25th, impacting Christmas holiday travel across the region. The most impactful systems arrived on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Two tornado warnings were issued for the coastal regions of San Mateo and Santa Cruz counties based off radar indicated rotation. San Francisco International Airport reported delay...
Flood — Dec 22, 2025
A series of storm systems impacted the Bay Area and Central Coast from December 19 to 25th, impacting Christmas holiday travel across the region. The most impactful systems arrived on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Two tornado warnings were issued for the coastal regions of San Mateo and Santa Cruz counties based off radar indicated rotation. San Francisco International Airport reported delay...
Flood — Feb 13, 2025
A winter storm on February 13 caused widespread flooding and strong winds across the Bay Area and Central Coast.
Flood — Feb 4, 2025
An intense atmospheric river impacted the Bay Area from February 3rd to the 4th, bringing heavy rain and strong wind to the region, especially across the North Bay. The Russian River near Guerneville flooded due to the heavy rain.
Flood — Jan 31, 2024
A quick-moving cold front came through California on January 31, bringing widespread rain and high winds. A narrow cold frontal rainband (NCFR) developed during the afternoon and evening commute, with moderate to heavy rain across the region as a result. Impacts and post-frontal showers continued through February 1.
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Individual Claims (2.25M records analyzed).
FEMA assigns flood zone designations to areas in San Francisco County, California:
AE High Risk — 1% annual chance of flooding. Insurance required.
VE Very High Risk — Coastal flooding with wave action.
X (Shaded) Moderate Risk — 500-year floodplain.
X Low Risk — Outside major floodplains.
Properties in San Francisco County, California that are in FEMA-designated Special Flood Hazard Areas (zones A and V) with federally backed mortgages are required to carry flood insurance.
Even outside high-risk zones, flood insurance is recommended. From 2014 to 2024, nearly one-third of NFIP claims came from outside the high-risk Special Flood Hazard Area.
Visit FloodSmart.gov to find an agent and get a quote.