Palo Alto, CA (ZIP 94306) has a moderate disaster history with 22 recorded events. These include 11 earthquakes, 6 floods, and 3 tornadoes. Total documented property damage amounts to $10.6M. These events have resulted in 6 recorded deaths and 12 injuries.
The dominant hazard type for Palo Alto is earthquakes, with 11 recorded events making up 50% of the area's disaster history. 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 3 tornadoes on record. Tornado-related events have caused a combined $6.6M 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 EF2 Tornado on May 5, 1998, which caused $3.8M in property damage. Another major event was Flood (Dec 23, 2012), causing $2.7M in damages. EF2 Tornado on Jan 11, 1951 also caused significant damage ($2.5M).
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Based on federal and state records, ZIP code 94306 has experienced 22 natural disaster events. The hazard types affecting this area include earthquakes (11 events), floods (6 events), tornadoes (3 events), extreme heat event (1 event), and severe wind event (1 event). The primary hazard is earthquakes, which account for 50% of all recorded events.
Earthquakes are the most frequently recorded hazard in Palo Alto, CA, with 11 events documented.
Yes, Palo Alto (ZIP 94306) 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 3 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 $6.6M. The most recent tornado was recorded on May 5, 1998.
The most damaging natural disaster on record for ZIP code 94306 was EF2 Tornado, which occurred on May 5, 1998. This event caused $3.8M in documented property damage. It was rated at severity level 3/5.
Natural disasters have caused a documented total of $10.6M in property damage in the Palo Alto, CA area (ZIP 94306). 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 →