Calaveras County, California Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · CA
MediumComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 87th
Calaveras County faces medium composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 86.6, 87th national percentile), driven primarily by wildfire and drought exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $53M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Calaveras County carries a medium composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 86.6 out of 100 — placing it in the 87th national percentile and near the national midpoint for natural-disaster risk. The score blends Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across all 18 FEMA hazard types.
The county's risk is driven primarily by wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at High risk — $30M in expected annual loss and about 0.01 events per year; drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at High risk — $4M in expected annual loss and about 73.08 events per year; and landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Medium risk — $200K in expected annual loss and about 15.00 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $53M in expected annual loss for a population of 45K.
Beyond physical exposure, Calaveras 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 federal record bears this out: Calaveras County has received 23 federal disaster declarations since 1977, including 8 for severe storm events and 6 for fire events. The most recent was 2-7 Fire (fire), declared in September 2025.
Among 58 California counties, Calaveras County ranks #42 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Wildfire | High | 0.01 / yr | $30M |
| Drought | High | 73.08 / yr | $4M |
| Landslide | Medium | 15.00 / yr | $200K |
| Winter Weather | High | 16.49 / yr | $394K |
| Heat Wave | Medium | 6.10 / yr | $2M |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 0.71 / yr | $15M |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.01 / yr | $1M |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $24 |
| Lightning | Low | 14.17 / yr | $251K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.03 / yr | $138 |
| Strong Wind | Very Low | 0.04 / yr | $61K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.10 / yr | $38K |
| Hail | Very Low | 0.11 / yr | $18K |
| 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
Calaveras County has received 23 federal disaster declarations since 1977, most recently 2-7 Fire in September 2025. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (8), Fire (6), Flood (5).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| September 2025 | Fire | 2-7 Fire |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| March 2017 | Flood | Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides |
| February 2017 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides |
Showing the 10 most recent of 23 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Calaveras County?
Calaveras County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 86.6 out of 100, placing it in the Medium category and the 87th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Calaveras County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Wildfire (High, $30M EAL), Drought (High, $4M EAL), Landslide (Medium, $200K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Calaveras County compare to other California counties?
Calaveras County ranks #42 of 58 California counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a medium rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Calaveras County had?
FEMA records 23 federal disaster declarations for Calaveras County since 1977, most often 8 for severe storm events and 6 for fire events. The most recent was 2-7 Fire, declared in September 2025.
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. Calaveras County's $53M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.