Sutter County, California Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · CA
MediumComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 84th
Sutter County faces medium composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 83.7, 84th national percentile), driven primarily by drought and earthquake exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $45M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Sutter County is medium, with a National Risk Index score of 83.7 out of 100 — placing it in the 84th 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.
Risk here concentrates in drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at Very High risk — $21M in expected annual loss and about 64.85 events per year; earthquake (ground shaking from sudden movement along geologic faults) at Medium risk — $10M in expected annual loss and about 0.04 events per year; and heat wave (prolonged periods of extreme heat that threaten health and infrastructure) at Medium risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 7.65 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $45M in expected annual loss for a population of 100K.
Beyond physical exposure, Sutter County has a medium social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a medium 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 county's disaster history tells the same story: Sutter County has received 20 federal disaster declarations since 1964, including 7 for severe storm events and 6 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storms, Tornadoes, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (severe storm), declared in April 2024.
Among 58 California counties, Sutter County ranks #47 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Drought | Very High | 64.85 / yr | $21M |
| Earthquake | Medium | 0.04 / yr | $10M |
| Heat Wave | Medium | 7.65 / yr | $1M |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $272K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.61 / yr | $12M |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $24 |
| Lightning | Low | 8.43 / yr | $199K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 3.05 / yr | $997 |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.08 / yr | $123K |
| Hail | Very Low | 0.08 / yr | $26K |
| Strong Wind | Very Low | 0.02 / yr | $38K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 0.22 / yr | $3K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.00 / 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 |
Disaster History
Sutter County has received 20 federal disaster declarations since 1964, most recently Severe Winter Storms, Tornadoes, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides in April 2024. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (7), Flood (6), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| April 2024 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms, Tornadoes, 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 |
| April 2017 | Flood | Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides |
| February 2017 | Dam/Levee Break | Potential Failure of the Emergency Spillway at Oroville Lake |
| February 2017 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides |
| February 2006 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, and Landslides |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
Showing the 10 most recent of 20 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Sutter County?
Sutter County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 83.7 out of 100, placing it in the Medium category and the 84th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Sutter County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Drought (Very High, $21M EAL), Earthquake (Medium, $10M EAL), Heat Wave (Medium, $1M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Sutter County compare to other California counties?
Sutter County ranks #47 of 58 California counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a medium rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Sutter County had?
FEMA records 20 federal disaster declarations for Sutter County since 1964, most often 7 for severe storm events and 6 for flood 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. Sutter County's $45M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.