Hood River County, Oregon Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · OR
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 32th
Hood River County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 32.1, 32th national percentile), driven primarily by volcanic activity and wildfire exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $15M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Hood River County is very low, 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.
Risk here concentrates in volcanic activity (eruptions producing ashfall, lava, and pyroclastic hazards) at Medium risk — $491K in expected annual loss and about 0.01 events per year; wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Medium risk — $5M in expected annual loss and about 0.01 events per year; and landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Low risk — $50K in expected annual loss and about 0.49 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $15M in expected annual loss for a population of 24K.
Beyond physical exposure, Hood River County has a very low 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). A less vulnerable population paired with strong resilience helps the community absorb and recover from events.
History supports the rating: Hood River County has received 17 federal disaster declarations since 1964, including 6 for severe storm events and 4 for fire events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (severe storm), declared in April 2026.
Among 36 Oregon counties, Hood River County ranks #29 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Volcanic Activity | Medium | 0.01 / yr | $491K |
| Wildfire | Medium | 0.01 / yr | $5M |
| Landslide | Low | 0.49 / yr | $50K |
| Ice Storm | High | 1.26 / yr | $840K |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.01 / yr | $2M |
| Heat Wave | Low | 3.95 / yr | $435K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 35.10 / yr | $70K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 0.09 / yr | $495K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 0.43 / yr | $704K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.14 / yr | $5M |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $80 |
| Lightning | Very Low | 6.22 / yr | $86K |
| Drought | Very Low | 11.89 / yr | $932 |
| Hail | Very Low | 0.11 / yr | $34K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.03 / yr | $45K |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Disaster History
Hood River County has received 17 federal disaster declarations since 1964, most recently Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides in April 2026. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (6), Fire (4), Flood (4).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| April 2026 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| April 2024 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| September 2017 | Fire | Eagle Creek Fire |
| August 2017 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| August 2013 | Fire | Government Flats Fire Complex |
| March 2012 | Flood | Severe Winter Storm, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| August 2009 | Fire | Microwave Fire |
| March 2009 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm, Record and Near Record Snow |
Showing the 10 most recent of 17 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Hood River County?
Hood River 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 Hood River County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Volcanic Activity (Medium, $491K EAL), Wildfire (Medium, $5M EAL), Landslide (Low, $50K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Hood River County compare to other Oregon counties?
Hood River County ranks #29 of 36 Oregon counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Hood River County had?
FEMA records 17 federal disaster declarations for Hood River County since 1964, most often 6 for severe storm events and 4 for fire 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. Hood River County's $15M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.