Tehama County, California Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · CA
MediumComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 89th
Tehama County faces medium composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 88.9, 89th national percentile), driven primarily by drought and wildfire exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $69M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Tehama County at medium composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 88.9 out of 100 — placing it in the 89th 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 High risk — $6M in expected annual loss and about 78.95 events per year; wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at High risk — $16M in expected annual loss and about 0.01 events per year; and landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at High risk — $625K in expected annual loss and about 78.86 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $69M in expected annual loss for a population of 66K.
Beyond physical exposure, Tehama County has a medium social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a 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.
The county's disaster history tells the same story: Tehama County has received 25 federal disaster declarations since 1964, including 9 for flood events and 5 for fire events. The most recent was Park Fire (fire), declared in July 2024.
Among 58 California counties, Tehama County ranks #41 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Drought | High | 78.95 / yr | $6M |
| Wildfire | High | 0.01 / yr | $16M |
| Landslide | High | 78.86 / yr | $625K |
| Earthquake | Medium | 0.04 / yr | $11M |
| Volcanic Activity | Low | 0.00 / yr | $58K |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 0.75 / yr | $35M |
| Heat Wave | Low | 6.90 / yr | $459K |
| Lightning | Low | 12.79 / yr | $141K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $79 |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.16 / yr | $96K |
| Hail | Very Low | 0.11 / yr | $25K |
| Strong Wind | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $21K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 13.47 / yr | $1K |
| 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
Tehama County has received 25 federal disaster declarations since 1964, most recently Park Fire in July 2024. Most frequent causes: Flood (9), Fire (5), Severe Storm (5).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| July 2024 | Fire | Park Fire |
| January 2023 | Flood | Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| January 2023 | Flood | Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides |
| August 2021 | Fire | Wildfires |
| 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 |
| August 2012 | Fire | Ponderosa Fire |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
Showing the 10 most recent of 25 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Tehama County?
Tehama County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 88.9 out of 100, placing it in the Medium category and the 89th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Tehama County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Drought (High, $6M EAL), Wildfire (High, $16M EAL), Landslide (High, $625K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Tehama County compare to other California counties?
Tehama County ranks #41 of 58 California counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a medium rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Tehama County had?
FEMA records 25 federal disaster declarations for Tehama County since 1964, most often 9 for flood events and 5 for fire events. The most recent was Park Fire, declared in July 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. Tehama County's $69M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.