Plumas County, California Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · CA
MediumComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 86th
Plumas County faces medium composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 86.4, 86th national percentile), driven primarily by wildfire 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
Plumas County carries a medium composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 86.4 out of 100 — placing it in the 86th 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 — $13M in expected annual loss and about 0.01 events per year; earthquake (ground shaking from sudden movement along geologic faults) at Medium risk — $5M in expected annual loss and about 0.04 events per year; and landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Medium risk — $34K in expected annual loss and about 6.93 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $41M in expected annual loss for a population of 20K.
Beyond physical exposure, Plumas County has a very high 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). Higher vulnerability is partly offset by strong community resilience and recovery capacity.
History supports the rating: Plumas County has received 23 federal disaster declarations since 1964, including 7 for flood events and 6 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, Plumas County ranks #44 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Wildfire | High | 0.01 / yr | $13M |
| Earthquake | Medium | 0.04 / yr | $5M |
| Landslide | Medium | 6.93 / yr | $34K |
| Volcanic Activity | Low | 0.00 / yr | $8K |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 0.46 / yr | $22M |
| Lightning | Medium | 14.47 / yr | $494K |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 34.93 / yr | $73K |
| Drought | Low | 63.03 / yr | $162K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $216 |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 2.47 / yr | $76K |
| Hail | Very Low | 0.13 / yr | $27K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.14 / yr | $42K |
| Strong Wind | Very Low | 0.07 / yr | $29K |
| 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
Plumas County has received 23 federal disaster declarations since 1964, most recently Severe Winter Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides in April 2023. Most frequent causes: Flood (7), Severe Storm (6), Fire (6).
| 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 |
| August 2021 | Fire | Wildfires |
| July 2021 | Fire | Dixie Fire |
| September 2020 | Fire | Bear Fire |
| August 2020 | Fire | Wildfires |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| April 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 Plumas County?
Plumas County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 86.4 out of 100, placing it in the Medium category and the 86th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Plumas County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Wildfire (High, $13M EAL), Earthquake (Medium, $5M EAL), Landslide (Medium, $34K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Plumas County compare to other California counties?
Plumas County ranks #44 of 58 California counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a medium rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Plumas County had?
FEMA records 23 federal disaster declarations for Plumas County since 1964, most often 7 for flood events and 6 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. Plumas County's $41M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.