Glenn County, California Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · CA
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 74th
Glenn County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 74.4, 74th national percentile), driven primarily by drought and earthquake exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $41M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Glenn County carries a low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 74.4 out of 100 — placing it in the 74th 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 — $21M in expected annual loss and about 85.27 events per year; earthquake (ground shaking from sudden movement along geologic faults) at Medium risk — $10M in expected annual loss and about 0.05 events per year; and wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Medium risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $41M in expected annual loss for a population of 29K.
Beyond physical exposure, Glenn County has a very low social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a very 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.
History supports the rating: Glenn County has received 21 federal disaster declarations since 1964, including 8 for flood events and 7 for severe storm events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storms, Tornadoes, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (severe storm), declared in April 2024.
Among 58 California counties, Glenn County ranks #53 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Drought | High | 85.27 / yr | $21M |
| Earthquake | Medium | 0.05 / yr | $10M |
| Wildfire | Medium | 0.00 / yr | $2M |
| Landslide | Low | 24.48 / yr | $47K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 7.49 / yr | $1M |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $17 |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.71 / yr | $7M |
| Lightning | Very Low | 7.90 / yr | $84K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $23 |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.11 / yr | $65K |
| Hail | Very Low | 0.09 / yr | $20K |
| Strong Wind | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $17K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 6.66 / yr | $173 |
| 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
Glenn County has received 21 federal disaster declarations since 1964, most recently Severe Winter Storms, Tornadoes, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides in April 2024. Most frequent causes: Flood (8), Severe Storm (7), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| April 2024 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms, Tornadoes, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| 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 |
| January 2023 | Flood | Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, 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 |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
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 Glenn County?
Glenn County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 74.4 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 74th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Glenn County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Drought (High, $21M EAL), Earthquake (Medium, $10M EAL), Wildfire (Medium, $2M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Glenn County compare to other California counties?
Glenn County ranks #53 of 58 California counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Glenn County had?
FEMA records 21 federal disaster declarations for Glenn County since 1964, most often 8 for flood events and 7 for severe storm events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storms, Tornadoes, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides, declared in April 2024.
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. Glenn County's $41M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.