San Luis Obispo County, California
County storm and disaster record · FIPS 06079 · population 280,370 · 3,301 sq mi
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 243 records for San Luis Obispo County, California from 1950 through June 30, 2026, on 132 days; the most frequent are high wind and dust records (77 records). 160 of them are forecast-zone records, which the National Weather Service files once per zone: a county covered by several zones receives each one, so a single storm can add several records on the same day. The deadliest single record is the August 15, 2000 high surf, filed for the forecast zone X W San Luis Obispo, which covers the county: 2 deaths and 5 injuries. FEMA has issued 28 declarations naming the county since 1967, 26 of them for natural hazards; the latest for a natural hazard was “Severe Winter Storms, Tornadoes, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides” on April 13, 2024.
The record, 1950 to 2026
Storm records filed for the county each year (2026 to June 30, 2026). Before 1996 NOAA recorded only tornadoes (from 1950), thunderstorm wind and hail (from 1955).
- recorded, no damage figure
- under $100,000
- $100,000 or more
- $1 million or more
- $10 million or more, or a death
- $100 million or more, or 10 deaths
- a year's colour: its recorded damage or deaths
- a year with a death
- 1955: wind and hail recorded from 1955
- 1996: all 48 event types from 1996
- Storm records
- 243on 132 days, 1950 to June 30, 2026
- Deaths recorded
- 711 injuries
- Damage, 2025 dollars
- $59Mas filed (scale steps before 1993)
- Tornadoes
- 4strongest EF1
- FEMA declarations
- 28latest 2024
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records through June 30, 2026 (file revision 20260918); damage converted to 2025 dollars with the BLS CPI-U. Search the record at NCEI. BLS consumer price index.
What hazards hit San Luis Obispo County most?
The most frequent records are high wind and dust records: 77 since 1998. 58% of its high wind and dust records since 1998 fell in January and February. The rank column places the county among California's counties by days with a record per 1,000 square miles of land over each hazard's complete period.
| Hazard | Records | Days | First, last | Killed | Injured | Damage | Rank in state |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High wind and dust storms | 77 | 37 | 1998-2025 | 0 | 0 | $5.9M | 57 of 57 |
| Floods | 45 | 22 | 1998-2025 | 2 | 1 | – | 50 of 57 |
| Rip currents and high surf | 39 | 39 | 1997-2017 | 3 | 5 | – | 11 of 57 |
| Severe thunderstorm wind | 16 | 10 | 1993-2026 | 0 | 0 | $106K | 32 of 57 |
| Winter storms | 16 | 8 | 1997-2023 | 1 | 2 | – | 52 of 57 |
| Wildfires | 12 | 8 | 2002-2025 | 0 | 3 | $476K | 49 of 57 |
| Heavy rain | 11 | 9 | 1996-2005 | 1 | 0 | $7.6M | 50 of 57 |
| Heat | 7 | 3 | 2006-2008 | 0 | 0 | – | 52 of 57 |
| Hail | 5 | 4 | 2001-2017 | 0 | 0 | – | 53 of 57 |
| Fog, smoke and funnel clouds | 5 | 4 | 1998-2024 | 0 | 0 | – | 52 of 57 |
| Tornadoes | 4 | 3 | 1998-2024 | 0 | 0 | – | 43 of 57 |
| Extreme cold | 3 | 2 | 1998-2007 | 0 | 0 | $45M | 53 of 57 |
| Landslides and avalanches | 3 | 1 | 2024-2024 | 0 | 0 | – | 49 of 57 |
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database (county and forecast-zone records attributed to the county; a zone record shows its own totals on each county it covers). Days: dates with at least one record of the hazard in the county. Ranks: days with a record per 1,000 square miles of land (Census Bureau 2024 Gazetteer), since 1950 for tornadoes, 1955 for hail and thunderstorm wind, 1996 for the rest.
How many tornadoes has San Luis Obispo County had?
NOAA records 4 tornadoes in San Luis Obispo County from 1998 to 2024, the strongest rated EF1, with 0 deaths and 0 injuries recorded in the county. A tornado that crossed a county line is counted in each county it touched, with the length of its path inside the county.
Counted as whole tornadoes rather than county records, the Storm Prediction Center's database holds 4 tornadoes whose track touched San Luis Obispo County since 1950 (NOAA's county records number 4, the same count); along their whole tracks they killed 0 people.
Map of the strongest tornado tracks in California.
Every tornado record filed for San Luis Obispo County (4)
| Date | Place | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-02-07 | Baywood Park, San Luis Obispo County | EF1 4.87 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2024-02-07 | Grover City, San Luis Obispo County | EF1 0.69 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2004-02-02 | Oceano, San Luis Obispo County | F0 0.5 mi x 5 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 1998-05-05 | San Luis Obispo County | F0 0.3 mi x 15 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, tornado records by county (path length in the county, maximum width); ratings as published: F scale before February 1, 2007, EF scale after. Whole-track figures: NOAA Storm Prediction Center tornado database (1950-2025). SPC severe weather database.
When was the last damaging storm in San Luis Obispo County?
The most recent record with damage, injuries or deaths is the October 13, 2025 thunderstorm wind ($1,000 in damage in 2025 dollars).
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-02-17 | Thunderstorm WindSimmler, San Luis Obispo County | 63 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-02-17 | Thunderstorm WindSimmler, San Luis Obispo County | 63 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-02-17 | Thunderstorm WindSerrano, San Luis Obispo County | 53 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-02-17 | Thunderstorm WindLos Osos, San Luis Obispo County | 65 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-02-17 | Thunderstorm WindCushing, San Luis Obispo County | 59 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2025-10-14 | Flash FloodArroyo Grande, San Luis Obispo County | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-10-14 | Flash FloodArroyo Grande, San Luis Obispo County | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-10-13 | Thunderstorm WindCambria, San Luis Obispo County | 48 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $1K |
| 2025-09-24 | Thunderstorm WindCambria, San Luis Obispo County | 48 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $1K |
| 2025-09-24 | Thunderstorm WindAdelaida, San Luis Obispo County | 48 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $2K |
| 2025-08-01 | WildfireSan Luis Obispo County · forecast zone Santa Lucia Mountains | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-08-01 | WildfireSan Luis Obispo County · forecast zone San Luis Obispo County Mountains | 0 | 0 | – |
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database; every record of 2025-2026 is listed, earlier ones when they caused deaths, injuries or $250,000 of damage (2025 dollars), and every tornado.
The deadliest and costliest records
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000-08-15 | High SurfSan Luis Obispo County · forecast zone X W San Luis Obispo Strong northwest winds of 20 to 30 mph produced locally rough seas in Morro Bay. One wave flipped a boat, throwing five adults and two children into the water. Unfortunately, both children drowned. | 2 | 5 | – | |
| 2023-01-09 | Flash FloodWellsona, San Luis Obispo County A woman and her 5 year old child were swept down a flooded roadway near San Marcos Creek. The woman survived, but her 5 year old child died. | 1 | 1 | – | |
| 2023-01-09 | Flash FloodAvila Beach, San Luis Obispo County A 60 year old woman was swept away in her SUV by raging flood waters along Avila Beach Road. | 1 | 0 | – | |
| 2017-01-21 | High SurfSan Luis Obispo County · forecast zone San Luis Obispo County Central Coast High surf swept a man off the rocks near Morro Rock. The individual was pronounced dead. | 1 | 0 | – | |
| 2004-12-30 | Heavy RainCountywide, San Luis Obispo County A powerful Pacific storm brought more heavy rain, snow and flash flooding to Central and Southern California. Total rainfall amounts ranged from 1 to 3 inches on the coastal plain to between 3 and 6 inches in the mountains. The heavy rain resulted in numerous reports of urban and rural flooding. Flash flooding closed ... | 1 | 0 | – | |
| 1997-12-05 | Winter WeatherSan Luis Obispo County · forecast zone X W San Luis Obispo A powerful Pacific storm brought heavy rain, snow, and strong winds to Southern California. Rainfall totals ranged from 2 to 6 inches over the coast...up to 12 inches in the mountains. Mudslides closed parts of Highway 1, Highway 126, and Highway 150. At higher mountain elevations, 3 to 6 inches of snow fell. ... | 1 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-07-02 | WildfireSan Luis Obispo County · forecast zone San Luis Obispo County Interior Valleys The Madre Fire burned 80,779 acres of land across interior sections of San Luis Obispo county. Throughout the lifetime of the fire, one structure was destroyed and one structure was damaged. Two firefighter injuries were reported. | 0 | 2 | – | |
| 2025-07-02 | WildfireSan Luis Obispo County · forecast zone San Luis Obispo County Mountains The Madre Fire burned 80,779 acres of land across interior sections of San Luis Obispo county. Throughout the lifetime of the fire, one structure was destroyed and one structure was damaged. Two firefighter injuries were reported. | 0 | 2 | – |
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007-01-13 | Frost/FreezeSan Luis Obispo County · forecast zone San Luis Obispo County Interior Valleys | 0 | 0 | $19M | |
| 2007-01-13 | Frost/FreezeSan Luis Obispo County · forecast zone San Luis Obispo County Central Coast | 0 | 0 | $17M | |
| 1998-12-21 | Frost/FreezeCountywide, San Luis Obispo County | 0 | 0 | $9.8M | |
| 2005-01-07 | Heavy RainCountywide, San Luis Obispo County | 0 | 0 | $7.6M | |
| 2006-01-02 | High WindSan Luis Obispo County · forecast zone San Luis Obispo County Central Coast | 56 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $5.9M |
| 2002-08-17 | WildfirePaso Robles, San Luis Obispo County | 0 | 0 | $476K | |
| 2025-09-24 | Thunderstorm WindAdelaida, San Luis Obispo County | 48 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $2K |
| 2025-09-24 | Thunderstorm WindCambria, San Luis Obispo County | 48 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $1K |
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database: deaths and injuries direct and indirect; damage is property plus crops as estimated by the National Weather Service, converted to 2025 dollars.
Is it getting more frequent?
Records per decade for San Luis Obispo County's most frequent hazards. Counts rose everywhere after 1996, when NOAA began recording every event type, so compare decades within a hazard's complete period only (the shaded cells come before it).
| Hazard | 1950s | 1960s | 1970s | 1980s | 1990s | 2000s | 2010s | 2020-26 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High wind and dust storms | – | – | – | – | 12 | 24 | 6 | 35 z |
| Floods | – | – | – | – | 8 | 9 | 3 | 25 |
| Rip currents and high surf | – | – | – | – | 20 | 18 | 1 | 0 |
| Severe thunderstorm wind | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 9 |
| Winter storms | – | – | – | – | 12 | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| Wildfires | – | – | – | – | 0 | 1 | 4 | 7 |
High wind and dust storms in the 2020-26: 35 records against 6 in the decade before, 35 of them forecast-zone records. Cells marked z rose mostly through zone records. The local National Weather Service office files these once per forecast zone, so a change in how it draws its zones or splits a storm into records moves this count as much as the weather does; read it beside the San Luis Obispo County days with a record above.
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records per calendar decade; zone records from the CZ_TYPE field (Z).
What time of year?
58% of its high wind and dust records since 1998 fell in January and February. The two busiest months are in violet.
The values, month by month
Jan 59 · Feb 67 · Mar 30 · Apr 6 · May 6 · Jun 4 · Jul 7 · Aug 7 · Sep 5 · Oct 6 · Nov 21 · Dec 25 (records).
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records by the month they began.
Federal disaster declarations for San Luis Obispo County
FEMA's register lists 28 declarations that include San Luis Obispo County: 22 major disasters, 5 emergencies and one fire management assistance declaration. Most were for flood (10) and severe storm (8).
| Declared | Number | Type | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-04-13 | DR-4769 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms, Tornadoes, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| 2023-04-03 | DR-4699 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| 2023-03-10 | EM-3592 | Flood | Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| 2023-01-14 | DR-4683 | Flood | Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| 2023-01-09 | EM-3591 | Flood | Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides |
| 2020-03-22 | DR-4482 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| 2020-03-13 | EM-3428 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| 2017-04-01 | DR-4308 | Flood | Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides |
| 2017-03-16 | DR-4305 | Flood | Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides |
| 2017-02-14 | DR-4301 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides |
| 2016-08-14 | FM-5146 | Fire | Chimney Fire |
| 2011-01-26 | DR-1952 | Flood | Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Debris and Mud Flows |
| 2007-03-13 | DR-1689 | Freezing | Severe Freeze |
| 2006-02-03 | DR-1628 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, and Landslides |
| 2005-09-13 | EM-3248 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| 2004-01-13 | DR-1505 | Earthquake | Earthquake |
| 1998-02-09 | DR-1203 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms and Flooding |
| 1997-01-04 | DR-1155 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, Mud and Landslides |
| 1995-03-12 | DR-1046 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms, Flooding Landslides, Mud Flow |
| 1995-01-10 | DR-1044 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, Mud Flows |
| 1991-02-11 | DR-894 | Freezing | Severe Freeze |
| 1985-07-18 | DR-739 | Fire | Grass, Wildlands, & Forest Fires |
| 1983-02-09 | DR-677 | Coastal Storm | Coastal Storms, Floods, Slides & Tornadoes |
| 1978-02-15 | DR-547 | Flood | Coastal Storms, Mudslides & Flooding |
| 1977-01-20 | EM-3023 | Drought | Drought |
| 1973-02-08 | DR-364 | Flood | Severe Storms, High Tides & Flooding |
| 1969-01-26 | DR-253 | Flood | Severe Storms & Flooding |
| 1967-01-02 | DR-223 | Flood | Severe Storms & Flooding |
Source: FEMA OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (v2), declarations through October 2, 2026; one declaration is counted once however many areas it names. OpenFEMA dataset page.
How many floods has San Luis Obispo County had?
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 45 flood or flash flood records for San Luis Obispo County from 1998 to 2025, on 22 days, with 2 deaths. By flood insurance claims since 1978 (OpenFEMA, as of September 8, 2026), San Luis Obispo County ranks 445th of 2,942 U.S. counties.
The National Flood Insurance Program has paid $8.6 million on 613 claims filed in San Luis Obispo County; the most in one year was 159 in 1995. Claims count insured losses only: uninsured flood damage is not in this file.
The values, year by year
1978: 18 · 1980: 12 · 1981: 2 · 1982: 16 · 1983: 18 · 1986: 7 · 1991: 6 · 1992: 13 · 1993: 14 · 1994: 1 · 1995: 159 · 1996: 1 · 1997: 15 · 1998: 69 · 1999: 3 · 2000: 4 · 2001: 49 · 2004: 10 · 2005: 2 · 2006: 18 · 2007: 1 · 2009: 3 · 2010: 22 · 2011: 6 · 2012: 1 · 2014: 1 · 2015: 4 · 2016: 5 · 2017: 19 · 2018: 2 · 2019: 2 · 2021: 4 · 2023: 103 · 2024: 1 · 2026: 2; the other years: 0.
Source: FEMA OpenFEMA NFIP Redacted Claims, as of September 8, 2026; claims by year of loss, payments in the dollars of the year paid. OpenFEMA dataset page.
FEMA's modeled risk for San Luis Obispo County
FEMA's National Risk Index rates San Luis Obispo County Relatively High overall, with an expected annual loss of $214 million. These are FEMA's model estimates of future loss from 18 hazards, not a count of what happened; they can differ from the record above.
| Hazard | Risk rating | Expected annual loss | Modeled frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drought | Very High | $29M | 90 modeled event-days a year |
| Landslide | Relatively High | $2.4M | 129 a year (modeled) |
| Wildfire | Relatively High | $17M | once in about 123 years (modeled) |
| Riverine Flooding | Relatively High | $110M | once in about 2 years (modeled) |
| Earthquake | Relatively Moderate | $50M | once in about 9 years (modeled) |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low | $1.5M | 8.5 modeled event-days a year |
| Tsunami | Relatively Low | $3.5M | once in about 3 years (modeled) |
| Coastal Flooding | Relatively Low | $136K | 3.1 a year (modeled) |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index, county table, December 2025 release. FEMA's National Risk Index map.
Counties that share a border with San Luis Obispo County
Source: U.S. Census Bureau county adjacency file; NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records since 1950. The Census Bureau's adjacency file.
Next
- Tornadoes in CaliforniaEvery California tornado since 1950 and the counties with the most per square mile
- High wind and dust storms in CaliforniaThe state's high wind and dust records, by county, year and month
- The California recordEvery hazard in the state, its deadliest events and its federal declarations
- FEMA's risk rating for each hazard in San Luis Obispo CountyThe hazard risk calculator: 18 hazards beside the county's record
- Download San Luis Obispo County's FEMA declarations (CSV)28 rows: every declaration that named the county, for your own analysis