Palo Alto, CA (ZIP 94304) has a moderate disaster history with 33 recorded events. These include 23 earthquakes, 6 floods, and 2 tornadoes. Total documented property damage amounts to $6.8M. These events have resulted in 6 recorded deaths and 11 injuries.
Earthquakes represent the most common natural hazard in this area, accounting for 70% of all recorded events (23 total). The most recent recorded earthquake occurred on Jul 8, 2025.
Palo Alto has experienced 6 floods on record. Of these, 3 (50%) were rated at severity level 4 or 5 — the most intense on the normalized scale. The highest recorded severity for flood-related events here is 5/5 (extreme). Flood-related events have caused a combined $3.7M in documented property damage. The most recent recorded flood occurred on Mar 2, 2024.
Palo Alto has experienced 2 tornadoes on record. Tornado-related events have caused a combined $2.8M in documented property damage. The most recent recorded tornado occurred on May 5, 1998.
Palo Alto has experienced 1 extreme heat event on record. One event reached severity level 4 or 5 on the normalized scale. The highest recorded severity for heat-related events here is 5/5 (extreme). 6 fatalities have been attributed to extreme heat events in this area. The most recent recorded extreme heat event occurred on Jun 14, 2000.
Palo Alto has experienced 1 severe wind event on record. Wind-related events have caused a combined $250K in documented property damage. The most recent recorded severe wind event occurred on Mar 19, 2000.
The most significant disaster event on record for Palo Alto was Flood on Dec 23, 2012, which caused $2.7M in property damage. Another major event was EF2 Tornado (Jan 11, 1951), causing $2.5M in damages.
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Based on federal and state records, ZIP code 94304 has experienced 33 natural disaster events. The hazard types affecting this area include earthquakes (23 events), floods (6 events), tornadoes (2 events), extreme heat event (1 event), and severe wind event (1 event). The primary hazard is earthquakes, which account for 70% of all recorded events.
Earthquakes are the most frequently recorded hazard in Palo Alto, CA, with 23 events documented.
Yes, Palo Alto (ZIP 94304) has 6 recorded flood events. These floods have caused $3.7M in total property damage. The most recent flood on record occurred on Mar 2, 2024.
Palo Alto has 2 recorded tornado events in the historical record. The strongest tornado recorded reached severity level 3/5 on the normalized scale. Total property damage from tornadoes in this area is $2.8M. The most recent tornado was recorded on May 5, 1998.
The most damaging natural disaster on record for ZIP code 94304 was Flood, which occurred on Dec 23, 2012. This event caused $2.7M in documented property damage. It was rated at severity level 5/5.
Natural disasters have caused a documented total of $6.8M in property damage in the Palo Alto, CA area (ZIP 94304). 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 →