Kings County, California Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · CA
MediumComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 92th
Kings County faces medium composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 92.4, 92th national percentile), driven primarily by drought and heat wave exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $96M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Kings County at medium composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 92.4 out of 100 — placing it in the 92nd 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.
Most of Kings County's expected losses come from drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at Very High risk — $34M in expected annual loss and about 76.77 events per year; heat wave (prolonged periods of extreme heat that threaten health and infrastructure) at High risk — $11M in expected annual loss and about 10.46 events per year; and earthquake (ground shaking from sudden movement along geologic faults) at Medium risk — $25M in expected annual loss and about 0.10 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $96M in expected annual loss for a population of 152K.
Beyond physical exposure, Kings County has a high 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). That combination — a more vulnerable population with limited resilience — can amplify the human cost of any given event.
The county's disaster history tells the same story: Kings County has received 19 federal disaster declarations since 1969, including 7 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, Kings County ranks #36 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Drought | Very High | 76.77 / yr | $34M |
| Heat Wave | High | 10.46 / yr | $11M |
| Earthquake | Medium | 0.10 / yr | $25M |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 1.18 / yr | $25M |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $245K |
| Hail | Low | 0.18 / yr | $371K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 8.57 / yr | $2K |
| Lightning | Low | 5.78 / yr | $172K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.11 / yr | $132K |
| Strong Wind | Very Low | 0.03 / yr | $65K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 0.35 / yr | $1K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $0 |
| 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 |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Disaster History
Kings County has received 19 federal disaster declarations since 1969, most recently Severe Winter Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides in April 2023. Most frequent causes: Flood (7), 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, and Mudslides |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| April 2017 | Flood | Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides |
| January 2011 | Flood | Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Debris and Mud Flows |
| March 2007 | Freezing | Severe Freeze |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| February 1999 | Freezing | Ca-Citrus Crop Damage 2/2/99 |
Showing the 10 most recent of 19 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Kings County?
Kings County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 92.4 out of 100, placing it in the Medium category and the 92th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Kings County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Drought (Very High, $34M EAL), Heat Wave (High, $11M EAL), Earthquake (Medium, $25M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Kings County compare to other California counties?
Kings County ranks #36 of 58 California counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a medium rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Kings County had?
FEMA records 19 federal disaster declarations for Kings County since 1969, most often 7 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. Kings County's $96M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.