Government records show 232 natural disaster events affecting the San Jose, CA area (ZIP 95138) — a notably active disaster history. These include 214 earthquakes, 11 wildfires, and 3 floods. Total documented property damage amounts to $3.3M. A total of 45 injuries have been reported across all events.
The dominant hazard type for San Jose is earthquakes, with 214 recorded events making up 92% of the area's disaster history. Of these, 2 (1%) 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 Nov 19, 2025.
There have been 11 recorded wildfires in this area, representing 5% of all disaster events. The most recent recorded wildfire occurred on Jun 10, 2019.
San Jose has experienced 3 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 $2.3M in documented property damage. The most recent recorded flood occurred on Oct 28, 2016.
San Jose has experienced 3 severe wind events on record. Wind-related events have caused a combined $1M in documented property damage. The most recent recorded severe wind event occurred on Dec 7, 2004.
San Jose 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). The most recent recorded extreme heat event occurred on Jun 14, 2000.
The most significant disaster event on record for San Jose was Flood on May 8, 2005, which caused $2.3M in property damage. Another major event was 78 mph High Wind (Nov 24, 2001), causing $1M in damages.
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Based on federal and state records, ZIP code 95138 has experienced 232 natural disaster events. The hazard types affecting this area include earthquakes (214 events), wildfires (11 events), floods (3 events), severe wind events (3 events), and extreme heat event (1 event). The primary hazard is earthquakes, which account for 92% of all recorded events.
Earthquakes are the most frequently recorded hazard in San Jose, CA, with 214 events documented.
Yes, San Jose (ZIP 95138) has 3 recorded flood events. These floods have caused $2.3M in total property damage. The most recent flood on record occurred on Oct 28, 2016.
The most damaging natural disaster on record for ZIP code 95138 was Flood, which occurred on May 8, 2005. This event caused $2.3M in documented property damage. It was rated at severity level 5/5.
Natural disasters have caused a documented total of $3.3M in property damage in the San Jose, CA area (ZIP 95138). 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 →