Government risk assessment for homebuyers considering 95050. Data from FEMA, USGS, CAL FIRE, CGS, OpenFEMA, and EPA.
D
Estimated Risk Exposure
$70,000
Ranked #7 of 25 Bay Area zip codes analyzed
73
Risk Score (0–100)
Identified Risks
🌊FEMA flood zones
⚡San Andreas + Hayward Fault zone
🏚️Liquefaction
⚠️20 FEMA disasters
Risk Assessment Detail
Flood zones along San Tomas Aquino Creek. Liquefaction zones in northern areas near bay. Between two major fault systems — San Andreas and Hayward. Santa Clara County has 20 FEMA disaster declarations.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is 95050 in a flood zone?
Yes — FEMA maps show flood zone designation AE (creek areas) in parts of Santa Clara. Properties in FEMA Special Flood Hazard Areas (zones starting with A or V) require mandatory flood insurance if you have a federally-backed mortgage. Premiums typically range from $2,000 to $4,500 per year.
What is the earthquake risk in Santa Clara?
Santa Clara is located 8–12 miles from the San Andreas + Hayward. The California Geological Survey has mapped liquefaction zones in this area, meaning the ground could become unstable during a major earthquake. Santa Clara County has experienced 20 FEMA disaster declarations since 2000. The California Earthquake Authority (CEA) offers residential earthquake insurance — coverage is optional but recommended this close to active faults.
Are there wildfire risks in Santa Clara?
Santa Clara is not in a CAL FIRE-designated wildfire severity zone. Wildfire risk is minimal for most properties in 95050. This is one area where this zip code has a lower risk profile compared to hillside and canyon communities.
How is the $70,000 exposure calculated?
The exposure estimate is based on industry-standard cost models: NFIP average flood insurance claims, USGS earthquake damage probability models, CAL FIRE wildfire rebuilding cost data, and historical disaster costs from OpenFEMA. It represents the estimated financial impact of the identified risks based on what these events actually cost homeowners. Individual properties will vary based on exact location, construction, elevation, and proximity to specific hazards.
Data Sources & Methodology
Flood zones: FEMA National Flood Hazard Layer (NFHL) — msc.fema.gov