Santa Barbara, CA (ZIP 93103) has a moderate disaster history with 48 recorded events. These include 28 earthquakes, 15 wildfires, and 2 floods. Total documented property damage amounts to $617M. These events have resulted in 21 recorded deaths and 170 injuries.
With 28 recorded incidents (58% of all events), earthquakes are the leading natural hazard for this ZIP code. The most recent recorded earthquake occurred on May 26, 2021.
There have been 15 recorded wildfires in this area, representing 31% of all disaster events. Of these, 2 (13%) were rated at severity level 4 or 5 — the most intense on the normalized scale. The highest recorded severity for wildfire-related events here is 5/5 (extreme). The most recent recorded wildfire occurred on Nov 27, 2019.
Santa Barbara has experienced 2 floods on record. One event reached severity level 4 or 5 on the normalized scale. The highest recorded severity for flood-related events here is 5/5 (extreme). Flood-related events have caused a combined $617M in documented property damage. 21 fatalities have been attributed to floods in this area. The most recent recorded flood occurred on Jan 9, 2018.
Santa Barbara has experienced 2 severe wind events on record. The most recent recorded severe wind event occurred on Oct 4, 2021.
Santa Barbara has experienced 1 hailstorm on record. The most recent recorded hailstorm occurred on Jan 20, 1982.
The most significant disaster event on record for Santa Barbara was Debris Flow on Jan 9, 2018, which caused $617M in property damage and was linked to 21 fatalities.
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Based on federal and state records, ZIP code 93103 has experienced 48 natural disaster events. The hazard types affecting this area include earthquakes (28 events), wildfires (15 events), floods (2 events), severe wind events (2 events), and hailstorm (1 event). The primary hazard is earthquakes, which account for 58% of all recorded events.
Earthquakes are the most frequently recorded hazard in Santa Barbara, CA, with 28 events documented.
Yes, Santa Barbara (ZIP 93103) has 2 recorded flood events. These floods have caused $617M in total property damage. The most recent flood on record occurred on Jan 9, 2018.
The most damaging natural disaster on record for ZIP code 93103 was Debris Flow, which occurred on Jan 9, 2018. This event caused $617M in documented property damage. It resulted in 21 reported fatalities. It was rated at severity level 5/5.
Natural disasters have caused a documented total of $617M in property damage in the Santa Barbara, CA area (ZIP 93103). This figure is based on historical records from FEMA, NOAA Storm Events Database, and USGS, and covers events from the 1950s through the present. Actual damages may be higher, as not all events have complete damage assessments.
Data sourced from FEMA (disaster declarations, NFIP flood claims), NOAA Storm Events Database, USGS Earthquake Hazards Program, and NIFC wildfire records. Historical coverage varies by source, with most records beginning in the 1950s–1970s. Full methodology →