Amador County, California Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · CA
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 79th
Amador County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 79.2, 79th national percentile), driven primarily by drought and wildfire exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $39M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Amador County is low, with a National Risk Index score of 79.2 out of 100 — placing it in the 79th national percentile and below the national average for natural-disaster risk. The score blends Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across all 18 FEMA hazard types.
Risk here concentrates in drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at High risk — $8M in expected annual loss and about 60.35 events per year; wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at High risk — $14M in expected annual loss and about 0.01 events per year; and landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Medium risk — $104K in expected annual loss and about 7.45 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $39M in expected annual loss for a population of 40K.
Beyond physical exposure, Amador County has a medium social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a low 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: Amador County has received 21 federal disaster declarations since 1964, including 9 for severe storm events and 6 for flood 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, Amador County ranks #52 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Drought | High | 60.35 / yr | $8M |
| Wildfire | High | 0.01 / yr | $14M |
| Landslide | Medium | 7.45 / yr | $104K |
| Avalanche | High | 0.07 / yr | $2M |
| Winter Weather | High | 17.29 / yr | $299K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 5.89 / yr | $1M |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.75 / yr | $12M |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.01 / yr | $564K |
| Lightning | Low | 13.76 / yr | $247K |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $10 |
| Hail | Very Low | 0.11 / yr | $19K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.06 / yr | $26K |
| Strong Wind | Very Low | 0.04 / yr | $36K |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 0.00 / 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
Amador County has received 21 federal disaster declarations since 1964, most recently Severe Winter Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides in April 2023. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (9), Flood (6), Fire (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 |
| May 2019 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| April 2017 | Flood | Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides |
| February 2017 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides |
| September 2015 | Fire | Butte Fire |
Showing the 10 most recent of 21 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Amador County?
Amador County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 79.2 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 79th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Amador County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Drought (High, $8M EAL), Wildfire (High, $14M EAL), Landslide (Medium, $104K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Amador County compare to other California counties?
Amador County ranks #52 of 58 California counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Amador County had?
FEMA records 21 federal disaster declarations for Amador County since 1964, most often 9 for severe storm events and 6 for flood 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. Amador County's $39M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.