Mono County, California Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · CA
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 47th
Mono County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 46.5, 47th national percentile), driven primarily by wildfire and earthquake exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $17M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Mono County carries a low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 46.5 out of 100 — placing it in the 47th 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.
Most of Mono County's expected losses come from 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; earthquake (ground shaking from sudden movement along geologic faults) at Low risk — $5M in expected annual loss and about 0.09 events per year; and volcanic activity (eruptions producing ashfall, lava, and pyroclastic hazards) at Low risk — $12K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $17M in expected annual loss for a population of 13K.
Beyond physical exposure, Mono County has a low social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a high community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). A less vulnerable population paired with strong resilience helps the community absorb and recover from events.
The federal record bears this out: Mono County has received 14 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, Mono County ranks #55 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Wildfire | Medium | 0.00 / yr | $2M |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.09 / yr | $5M |
| Volcanic Activity | Low | 0.00 / yr | $12K |
| Avalanche | High | 0.20 / yr | $1M |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 25.46 / yr | $306K |
| Drought | Medium | 116.02 / yr | $940K |
| Landslide | Low | 14.18 / yr | $10K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.68 / yr | $7M |
| Lightning | Low | 22.67 / yr | $111K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 0.53 / yr | $96K |
| Strong Wind | Very Low | 0.04 / yr | $80K |
| Hail | Very Low | 0.06 / yr | $7K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.04 / yr | $5K |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Coastal Flood | 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
Mono County has received 14 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 |
| March 2017 | Flood | Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides |
| February 2017 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| January 1997 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, Mud and Landslides |
Showing the 10 most recent of 14 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Mono County?
Mono County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 46.5 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 47th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Mono County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Wildfire (Medium, $2M EAL), Earthquake (Low, $5M EAL), Volcanic Activity (Low, $12K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Mono County compare to other California counties?
Mono County ranks #55 of 58 California counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Mono County had?
FEMA records 14 federal disaster declarations for Mono 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. Mono County's $17M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.