Yuba County, California Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · CA
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 81th
Yuba County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 80.9, 81th national percentile), driven primarily by drought and wildfire exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $46M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Yuba County at low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 80.9 out of 100 — placing it in the 81st 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 Yuba County's expected losses come from drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at High risk — $8M in expected annual loss and about 65.49 events per year; wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Medium risk — $7M in expected annual loss and about 0.01 events per year; and earthquake (ground shaking from sudden movement along geologic faults) at Low risk — $6M in expected annual loss and about 0.03 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $46M in expected annual loss for a population of 82K.
Beyond physical exposure, Yuba County has a low 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 federal record bears this out: Yuba County has received 28 federal disaster declarations since 1964, including 8 for fire events and 7 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (flood), declared in March 2023.
Among 58 California counties, Yuba County ranks #49 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Drought | High | 65.49 / yr | $8M |
| Wildfire | Medium | 0.01 / yr | $7M |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.03 / yr | $6M |
| Landslide | Medium | 5.58 / yr | $55K |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 0.57 / yr | $25M |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $22 |
| Heat Wave | Low | 7.51 / yr | $476K |
| Lightning | Low | 10.96 / yr | $169K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.03 / yr | $54 |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.08 / yr | $150K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 5.04 / yr | $8K |
| Hail | Very Low | 0.12 / yr | $22K |
| Strong Wind | Very Low | 0.02 / yr | $33K |
| 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
Yuba County has received 28 federal disaster declarations since 1964, most recently Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides in March 2023. Most frequent causes: Fire (8), Flood (7), Severe Storm (6).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| March 2023 | Flood | Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| January 2023 | Flood | Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides |
| October 2020 | Fire | Wildfires |
| September 2020 | Fire | Bear Fire |
| August 2020 | Fire | Wildfires |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| October 2017 | Fire | Wildfires |
| October 2017 | Fire | Cascade Fire |
| April 2017 | Flood | Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides |
Showing the 10 most recent of 28 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Yuba County?
Yuba County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 80.9 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 81th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Yuba County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Drought (High, $8M EAL), Wildfire (Medium, $7M EAL), Earthquake (Low, $6M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Yuba County compare to other California counties?
Yuba County ranks #49 of 58 California counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Yuba County had?
FEMA records 28 federal disaster declarations for Yuba County since 1964, most often 8 for fire events and 7 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides, declared in March 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. Yuba County's $46M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.