Federal records document 107 natural disaster events in the Santa Cruz, CA area (ZIP 95065). These include 77 earthquakes, 25 floods, and 3 wildfires. Total documented property damage amounts to $24.6M. These events have resulted in 2 recorded deaths and 7 injuries.
The dominant hazard type for Santa Cruz is earthquakes, with 77 recorded events making up 72% of the area's disaster history. Of these, 3 (4%) were rated at severity level 4 or 5 — the most intense on the normalized scale. The highest recorded severity for seismic events here is 5/5 (extreme). The most recent recorded earthquake occurred on Jan 5, 2006.
There have been 25 recorded floods in this area, representing 23% of all disaster events. Of these, 9 (36%) 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 $24.1M in documented property damage. 2 fatalities have been attributed to floods in this area. The most recent recorded flood occurred on Jan 22, 2024.
Santa Cruz has experienced 3 wildfires on record. Of these, 2 (67%) 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 4/5 (severe). The most recent recorded wildfire occurred on Jan 2, 2019.
Santa Cruz has experienced 1 tornado on record. Tornado-related events have caused a combined $10 in documented property damage. The most recent recorded tornado occurred on Dec 14, 2024.
Santa Cruz has experienced 1 severe wind event on record. Wind-related events have caused a combined $500K in documented property damage. The most recent recorded severe wind event occurred on Nov 24, 2001.
The most significant disaster event on record for Santa Cruz was Flash Flood on Mar 24, 2011, which caused $15.5M in property damage. Another major event was Flood (Jan 1, 2006), causing $2.5M in damages. Flood on Dec 31, 2005 also caused significant damage ($2.5M).
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Based on federal and state records, ZIP code 95065 has experienced 107 natural disaster events. The hazard types affecting this area include earthquakes (77 events), floods (25 events), wildfires (3 events), tornado (1 event), and severe wind event (1 event). The primary hazard is earthquakes, which account for 72% of all recorded events.
Earthquakes are the most frequently recorded hazard in Santa Cruz, CA, with 77 events documented.
Yes, Santa Cruz (ZIP 95065) has 25 recorded flood events. These floods have caused $24.1M in total property damage. The most recent flood on record occurred on Jan 22, 2024.
Santa Cruz has 1 recorded tornado event in the historical record. Total property damage from tornadoes in this area is $10. The most recent tornado was recorded on Dec 14, 2024.
The most damaging natural disaster on record for ZIP code 95065 was Flash Flood, which occurred on Mar 24, 2011. This event caused $15.5M in documented property damage. It was rated at severity level 5/5.
Natural disasters have caused a documented total of $24.6M in property damage in the Santa Cruz, CA area (ZIP 95065). 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 →