Grant County, Oregon Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · OR
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 32th
Grant County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 32.1, 32th national percentile), driven primarily by wildfire and landslide exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $7M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Grant County at very low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 32.1 out of 100 — placing it in the 32nd 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.
Most of Grant County's expected losses come from wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Medium risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 0.01 events per year; landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Low risk — $22K in expected annual loss and about 2.33 events per year; and lightning (electrical discharges from storms that ignite fires and cause casualties) at Medium risk — $439K in expected annual loss and about 19.69 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $7M in expected annual loss for a population of 7K.
Beyond physical exposure, Grant 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: Grant County has received 15 federal disaster declarations since 1964, including 7 for fire events and 2 for biological events. The most recent was Wildfires (fire), declared in January 2025.
Among 36 Oregon counties, Grant County ranks #28 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Wildfire | Medium | 0.01 / yr | $2M |
| Landslide | Low | 2.33 / yr | $22K |
| Lightning | Medium | 19.69 / yr | $439K |
| Avalanche | Low | 0.01 / yr | $6K |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $12 |
| Winter Weather | Low | 14.85 / yr | $46K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.36 / yr | $5M |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 2.91 / yr | $93K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $27K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $7K |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 0.12 / yr | $105K |
| Drought | Very Low | 73.32 / yr | $146 |
| Hail | Very Low | 0.21 / yr | $28K |
| Strong Wind | Very Low | 0.08 / yr | $26K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.07 / yr | $3K |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Disaster History
Grant County has received 15 federal disaster declarations since 1964, most recently Wildfires in January 2025. Most frequent causes: Fire (7), Biological (2), Flood (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| January 2025 | Fire | Wildfires |
| September 2024 | Fire | Rail Ridge Fire |
| July 2024 | Fire | Battle Mountain Fire Complex |
| July 2024 | Fire | Boneyard Fire |
| July 2024 | Fire | Falls Fire |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| July 2019 | Flood | Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| August 2015 | Fire | Canyon Creek Fire Complex |
| September 2005 | Coastal Storm | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
Showing the 10 most recent of 15 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Grant County?
Grant County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 32.1 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 32th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Grant County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Wildfire (Medium, $2M EAL), Landslide (Low, $22K EAL), Lightning (Medium, $439K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Grant County compare to other Oregon counties?
Grant County ranks #28 of 36 Oregon counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Grant County had?
FEMA records 15 federal disaster declarations for Grant County since 1964, most often 7 for fire events and 2 for biological 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. Grant County's $7M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.