Deschutes County
Oregon — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
MediumComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 85th
Deschutes County faces medium composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 84.9, 85th national percentile), driven primarily by wildfire and volcanic activity exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $66M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Wildfire | High | 0.00 / yr | $13M |
| Volcanic Activity | Medium | 0.00 / yr | $554K |
| Avalanche | High | 0.20 / yr | $2M |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 0.50 / yr | $42M |
| Lightning | High | 13.71 / yr | $1M |
| Winter Weather | High | 19.82 / yr | $371K |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $3M |
| Landslide | Low | 0.49 / yr | $23K |
| Hail | Medium | 0.39 / yr | $1M |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 0.15 / yr | $2M |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.02 / yr | $126K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 2.41 / yr | $539K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 0.06 / yr | $539K |
| Drought | Very Low | 68.75 / yr | $820 |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.05 / yr | $62K |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Deschutes County?
Deschutes County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 84.9 out of 100, placing it in the Medium category and the 85th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Deschutes County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Wildfire (High, $13M EAL), Volcanic Activity (Medium, $554K EAL), Avalanche (High, $2M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Deschutes County compare to other Oregon counties?
Deschutes County ranks #14 of 36 Oregon counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a medium rating.
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. Deschutes County's $66M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.