Coos County, Oregon Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · OR
MediumComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 92th
Coos County faces medium composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 91.9, 92th national percentile), driven primarily by earthquake and landslide exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $90M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Coos County at medium composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 91.9 out of 100 — placing it in the 92nd 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.
Most of Coos County's expected losses come from earthquake (ground shaking from sudden movement along geologic faults) at High risk — $52M in expected annual loss and about 0.02 events per year; landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Medium risk — $156K in expected annual loss and about 12.77 events per year; and coastal flood (seawater inundation from storm surge, high tides, and rising sea levels) at High risk — $4M in expected annual loss and about 4.75 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $90M in expected annual loss for a population of 65K.
Beyond physical exposure, Coos County has a high 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). That combination — a more vulnerable population with limited resilience — can amplify the human cost of any given event.
The county's disaster history tells the same story: Coos County has received 20 federal disaster declarations since 1964, including 8 for severe storm events and 6 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (severe storm), declared in July 2025.
Among 36 Oregon counties, Coos County ranks #9 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Earthquake | High | 0.02 / yr | $52M |
| Landslide | Medium | 12.77 / yr | $156K |
| Coastal Flood | High | 4.75 / yr | $4M |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 2.25 / yr | $22M |
| Tsunami | Medium | 0.15 / yr | $11M |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $96K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 2.36 / yr | $305K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $126 |
| Winter Weather | Low | 8.66 / yr | $23K |
| Lightning | Low | 5.51 / yr | $71K |
| Drought | Very Low | 24.56 / yr | $236 |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $6K |
| Strong Wind | Very Low | 0.03 / yr | $34K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $11K |
| Hail | Very Low | 0.03 / yr | $7K |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Disaster History
Coos County has received 20 federal disaster declarations since 1964, most recently Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides in July 2025. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (8), Flood (6), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| July 2025 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| April 2024 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| September 2020 | Fire | Wildfires and Straight-Line Winds |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| May 2019 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| February 2016 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| March 2012 | Flood | Severe Winter Storm, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| March 2011 | Tsunami | Tsunami Wave Surge |
| December 2007 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
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 Coos County?
Coos County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 91.9 out of 100, placing it in the Medium category and the 92th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Coos County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Earthquake (High, $52M EAL), Landslide (Medium, $156K EAL), Coastal Flood (High, $4M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Coos County compare to other Oregon counties?
Coos County ranks #9 of 36 Oregon counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a medium rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Coos County had?
FEMA records 20 federal disaster declarations for Coos County since 1964, most often 8 for severe storm events and 6 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides, declared in July 2025.
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. Coos County's $90M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.