Clatsop County, Oregon Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · OR
HighComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 95th
Clatsop County faces high composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 95.1, 95th national percentile), driven primarily by tsunami and earthquake exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $145M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Clatsop County carries a high composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 95.1 out of 100 — placing it in the 95th national percentile and in the upper tier of natural-disaster risk nationally. The score blends Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across all 18 FEMA hazard types.
Most of Clatsop County's expected losses come from tsunami (series of ocean waves triggered by undersea earthquakes or landslides) at Very High risk — $100M in expected annual loss and about 0.15 events per year; earthquake (ground shaking from sudden movement along geologic faults) at Medium risk — $21M in expected annual loss and about 0.02 events per year; and coastal flood (seawater inundation from storm surge, high tides, and rising sea levels) at Very High risk — $12M in expected annual loss and about 4.44 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $145M in expected annual loss for a population of 41K.
Beyond physical exposure, Clatsop County has a 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.
The county's disaster history tells the same story: Clatsop County has received 19 federal disaster declarations since 1964, including 10 for severe storm events and 5 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (severe storm), declared in April 2026.
Among 36 Oregon counties, Clatsop County ranks #5 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Tsunami | Very High | 0.15 / yr | $100M |
| Earthquake | Medium | 0.02 / yr | $21M |
| Coastal Flood | Very High | 4.44 / yr | $12M |
| Landslide | Medium | 3.82 / yr | $41K |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $987 |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.21 / yr | $12M |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $28K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 3.42 / yr | $209K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.71 / yr | $47K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 0.04 / yr | $163K |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 0.13 / yr | $192K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $23 |
| Lightning | Very Low | 5.20 / yr | $50K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 11.80 / yr | $13K |
| Drought | Very Low | 0.44 / yr | $0 |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.07 / yr | $77K |
| Hail | Very Low | 0.03 / yr | $8K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Disaster History
Clatsop County has received 19 federal disaster declarations since 1964, most recently Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides in April 2026. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (10), Flood (5), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| April 2026 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| February 2016 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| February 2011 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm, Flooding, Mudslides, Landslides, and Debris Flows |
| March 2009 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm, Record and Near Record Snow |
| December 2007 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| February 2007 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm and Flooding |
| December 2006 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| March 2006 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
Showing the 10 most recent of 19 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Clatsop County?
Clatsop County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 95.1 out of 100, placing it in the High category and the 95th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Clatsop County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Tsunami (Very High, $100M EAL), Earthquake (Medium, $21M EAL), Coastal Flood (Very High, $12M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Clatsop County compare to other Oregon counties?
Clatsop County ranks #5 of 36 Oregon counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a high rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Clatsop County had?
FEMA records 19 federal disaster declarations for Clatsop County since 1964, most often 10 for severe storm events and 5 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides, declared in April 2026.
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. Clatsop County's $145M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.