San Francisco, CA Flood Zone Lookup
Last updated: March 2026
San Francisco is vulnerable to coastal flooding along the Bay shoreline, particularly in areas built on fill such as the Marina District and Mission Bay. Sea level rise is projected to significantly increase flood risk in low-lying neighborhoods.
San Francisco County has recorded 147 NFIP flood insurance claims since 1978, totaling $2.7M in payouts. Explore the full NFIP claims data by state and county to see how this area compares nationally.
FEMA Region
Region 9
NFIP Policies
334
San Francisco County
Avg. Premium
$1,076/yr
San Francisco County
FEMA Flood Risk Profile: San Francisco County
Based on FEMA's National Risk Index, which evaluates flood risk at the county level using historical loss data, exposure, and vulnerability.
Inland Flood Risk
Relatively HighEst. annual loss: $177.7M
Coastal Flood Risk
Relatively ModerateEst. annual loss: $638K
Source: FEMA National Risk Index, county-level assessment. Individual property risk may vary.
Federal Flood Disaster History: San Francisco County
San Francisco County has been included in 3 federal flood-related disaster declarations.
...and 1 earlier declaration since 2023.
These declarations affected communities across San Francisco County, including San Francisco.
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries API. Data sourced February 2026.
NFIP Flood Insurance Claims: San Francisco County
Properties in San Francisco County have filed 147 NFIP flood insurance claims totaling $2.7M in payouts since 1978. The average claim payout is $18K.
Highest-Claim Years
1982
45 claims - $1.2M
1978
24 claims - $71K
1980
14 claims - $56K
Claims by Flood Zone
Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Claims API. Data sourced March 2026. See national claims data.
Flood Insurance Coverage: San Francisco County
Only roughly 1 in 1,034 households in San Francisco County carries NFIP flood insurance (0.1% of estimated households). With 98 recorded flood events and $16K in damage, most flood losses in this county are likely uninsured.
Penetration Rate
0.1%
roughly 1 in 1,034 households
Historical Claims Ratio
1 in 2
147 claims over 45+ years across 334 current policies
Avg. Claim Payout
$18,116
Per claim, county-wide since 1978
Historically, San Francisco County has averaged 1 claim for every 2 active policies (since 1978). This compares cumulative claims against today's policy count and does not predict future claim likelihood.
Coverage data: NFIP policies as of March 2026, claims since 1978 (March 2026), population from FEMA NRI. All figures are county-wide and include San Francisco.
What Your Flood Zone Means in San Francisco
San Francisco is primarily at risk from coastal flooding, including hurricane storm surge, tidal flooding, and wave action. Coastal storms can push seawater inland with little warning, and properties in VE (Velocity) zones face the most severe exposure to breaking waves. The most common FEMA flood zone designations in San Francisco are Zone AE, Zone VE, Zone X. FEMA's National Risk Index estimates the county's annual expected loss from inland flooding at over $177.7M. Properties in San Francisco's VE zones face additional wave action risk beyond still-water flooding, which typically results in higher insurance premiums and stricter building requirements.
Coastal flood insurance premiums in San Francisco are typically higher than inland areas due to the destructive force of storm surge and wave action. Properties in VE zones face the highest premiums because wave damage compounds the risk beyond still-water flooding. If your property is in a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) and you have a federally regulated or government-backed mortgage, federal law generally requires your lender to ensure you carry flood insurance.
Coastal flood maps are among the most frequently updated in the FEMA system, as shoreline erosion and new storm surge modeling refine the boundaries. Letters of Map Revision (LOMR) may shift VE and AE zone boundaries after major storms or updated coastal studies. Use our free lookup tool to check the current flood zone for any San Francisco address.
Recorded Flood Events: San Francisco County
NOAA has recorded 98 flood events in San Francisco County since 1996, causing $16K in damage.
Costliest Events
Events by Type
Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, 1996-2026. Data sourced March 2026.
Flood Mitigation: San Francisco County
FEMA has funded mitigation for 127 properties in San Francisco County, investing $42K in flood risk reduction. Common mitigation actions include acquisition (buying and demolishing flood-prone structures), elevation (raising buildings above flood level), and safe rooms (wind/storm shelters for tornado and hurricane protection).
By Action Type
Source: OpenFEMA Hazard Mitigation Assistance. Data sourced March 2026.
San Francisco, CA Flood Zone FAQ
What flood zones are in San Francisco, CA?
The most common FEMA flood zones in San Francisco are Zone AE, Zone VE, Zone X. Properties in these high-risk zones (SFHA) may require flood insurance with a federally regulated or government-backed mortgage.
Is flood insurance required in San Francisco?
If your San Francisco property is in a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) and you have a federally regulated or government-backed mortgage, federal law generally requires your lender to ensure you carry flood insurance. Properties in Zone X are not federally required to carry flood insurance, though coverage is still recommended since over 40% of all NFIP flood claims come from Zone X properties.
How do I check my flood zone in San Francisco?
Enter your San Francisco address in the search tool above for an instant flood zone determination. Results include your FEMA flood zone, SFHA status, base flood elevation (if available), and FIRM panel information, pulled directly from FEMA's National Flood Hazard Layer.
How high is flood risk in San Francisco?
According to FEMA's National Risk Index, San Francisco County (where San Francisco is located) has a "Relatively High" rating for inland flood risk. The estimated annual flood loss for the county is $177.7M. This county-level assessment considers historical flood losses, social vulnerability, and community resilience.
Has San Francisco experienced major flooding events?
San Francisco County, where San Francisco is located, has been part of 3 federal disaster declarations for flooding, hurricanes, or severe storms. The most recent was Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides in 2023. Federal disaster declarations are issued when flooding overwhelms local resources and triggers FEMA assistance programs.
How many flood insurance claims have been filed in San Francisco?
San Francisco County has recorded 147 NFIP flood insurance claims totaling $2.7M in payouts since 1978. The year with the most claims was 1982, with 45 claims and $1.2M in payouts. These figures cover all NFIP claims in the county, including San Francisco.
How many flood insurance policies are active in San Francisco?
San Francisco County currently has 334 active NFIP flood insurance policies with an average annual premium of $1,076. The most policies are in Zone X (321 policies). These figures cover all active NFIP policies in the county.
Can my San Francisco property be removed from a high-risk flood zone?
Yes, if your property's natural ground elevation is above the Base Flood Elevation and FEMA inadvertently mapped it in a high-risk zone, you can apply for a Letter of Map Amendment (LOMA). A successful LOMA removes the property from the Special Flood Hazard Area, generally eliminating the federal mandatory flood insurance requirement. You will need an elevation certificate from a licensed surveyor. If a property was raised above the BFE with fill material, the process is a LOMR-F rather than a LOMA.
What is Base Flood Elevation in San Francisco?
Base Flood Elevation (BFE) is the predicted height of floodwaters during a 1% annual chance (100-year) flood, shown on FEMA maps as an elevation number in feet above sea level. In San Francisco's Zone AE and Zone VE areas, BFE lines appear on the FIRM as wavy contours labeled with elevation values. Properties with a lowest floor at or above the BFE typically qualify for significantly lower NFIP flood insurance premiums.
Other California Cities
Understanding Flood Zones
Look Up Any San Francisco, CA Address
Enter a San Francisco, CA address to instantly check its FEMA flood zone designation, SFHA status, and insurance requirements.
Disclaimer: Flood risk data on this page is sourced from FEMA datasets including the National Risk Index, NFIP claims and policy records, disaster declarations, and the Community Rating System. These datasets were last extracted on March 2026 and may not reflect the most recent changes. This page is for informational purposes only and is not a certified flood zone determination. Always verify current flood zone status through FEMA or a licensed determination provider before making property, insurance, or lending decisions.