Alpine County, California Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · CA
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 11th
Alpine County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 10.6, 11th national percentile), driven primarily by avalanche and wildfire exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $5M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Alpine County carries a very low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 10.6 out of 100 — placing it in the 11th national percentile and among the lowest-risk counties in the country. The score blends Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across all 18 FEMA hazard types.
Risk here concentrates in avalanche (fast-moving snow and debris sliding down steep mountain slopes) at High risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 0.33 events per year; wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Medium risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 0.01 events per year; and landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Low risk — $4K in expected annual loss and about 2.09 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $5M in expected annual loss for a population of 1K.
Beyond physical exposure, Alpine County has a medium social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a medium community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). Both measures sit toward the lower end, indicating relatively modest population sensitivity.
The county's disaster history tells the same story: Alpine County has received 15 federal disaster declarations since 1964, including 6 for flood events and 4 for severe storm events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (severe storm), declared in April 2023.
Among 58 California counties, Alpine County ranks #58 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Avalanche | High | 0.33 / yr | $2M |
| Wildfire | Medium | 0.01 / yr | $1M |
| Landslide | Low | 2.09 / yr | $4K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.04 / yr | $309K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 38.99 / yr | $61K |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.11 / yr | $1M |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 1.29 / yr | $5K |
| Strong Wind | Very Low | 0.10 / yr | $20K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 21.03 / yr | $10K |
| Hail | Very Low | 0.15 / yr | $1K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.02 / yr | $197 |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Drought | Very Low | 79.81 / yr | $0 |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Disaster History
Alpine County has received 15 federal disaster declarations since 1964, most recently Severe Winter Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides in April 2023. Most frequent causes: Flood (6), Severe Storm (4), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| April 2023 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| March 2023 | Flood | Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| January 2023 | Flood | Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| September 2021 | Fire | Caldor Fire |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| April 2017 | Flood | Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides |
| February 2006 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, and Landslides |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| January 1997 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, Mud and Landslides |
Showing the 10 most recent of 15 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Alpine County?
Alpine County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 10.6 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 11th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Alpine County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Avalanche (High, $2M EAL), Wildfire (Medium, $1M EAL), Landslide (Low, $4K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Alpine County compare to other California counties?
Alpine County ranks #58 of 58 California counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Alpine County had?
FEMA records 15 federal disaster declarations for Alpine County since 1964, most often 6 for flood events and 4 for severe storm events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides, declared in April 2023.
What does Expected Annual Loss (EAL) mean?
EAL is FEMA's estimate of average annual dollar losses from natural hazards, calculated from historical event data and exposure models. Alpine County's $5M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.