Gilliam County, Oregon Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · OR
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 3th
Gilliam County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 2.7, 3th national percentile), driven primarily by wildfire and avalanche exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $2M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Gilliam County is very low, with a National Risk Index score of 2.7 out of 100 — placing it in the 3rd national percentile and among the lowest-risk counties in the country. The score blends Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across all 18 FEMA hazard types.
The county's risk is driven primarily by wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Low risk — $854K in expected annual loss and about 0.01 events per year; avalanche (fast-moving snow and debris sliding down steep mountain slopes) at Very Low risk — $2K in expected annual loss and about 0.01 events per year; and landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Very Low risk — $2K in expected annual loss and about 0.71 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $2M in expected annual loss for a population of 2K.
Beyond physical exposure, Gilliam County has a high 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). That combination — a more vulnerable population with limited resilience — can amplify the human cost of any given event.
The federal record bears this out: Gilliam County has received 12 federal disaster declarations since 1964, including 3 for severe storm events and 3 for flood events. The most recent was Wildfires (fire), declared in January 2025.
Among 36 Oregon counties, Gilliam County ranks #36 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Wildfire | Low | 0.01 / yr | $854K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $2K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.71 / yr | $2K |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $11 |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $49K |
| Lightning | Low | 8.85 / yr | $79K |
| Drought | Very Low | 47.94 / yr | $711 |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.02 / yr | $6K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 4.97 / yr | $23K |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 0.42 / yr | $65K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 9.97 / yr | $6K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.07 / yr | $791K |
| Hail | Very Low | 0.22 / yr | $12K |
| Strong Wind | Very Low | 0.17 / yr | $29K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.02 / yr | $1K |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Disaster History
Gilliam County has received 12 federal disaster declarations since 1964, most recently Wildfires in January 2025. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (3), Flood (3), Fire (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| January 2025 | Fire | Wildfires |
| July 2024 | Fire | Lone Rock Fire |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| March 2006 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| September 2005 | Coastal Storm | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| February 2004 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms |
| January 1997 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms, Land and Mudslides, Flooding |
| February 1996 | Flood | High Winds, Severe Storms and Flooding |
| April 1977 | Drought | Drought |
Showing the 10 most recent of 12 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Gilliam County?
Gilliam County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 2.7 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 3th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Gilliam County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Wildfire (Low, $854K EAL), Avalanche (Very Low, $2K EAL), Landslide (Very Low, $2K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Gilliam County compare to other Oregon counties?
Gilliam County ranks #36 of 36 Oregon counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Gilliam County had?
FEMA records 12 federal disaster declarations for Gilliam County since 1964, most often 3 for severe storm events and 3 for flood events. The most recent was Wildfires, declared in January 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. Gilliam County's $2M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.