Lightning Risk in Oregon
All Oregon counties ranked by FEMA National Risk Index lightning score
Lightning risk — electrical discharges from storms that ignite fires and cause casualties — is rated for 36 of 36 Oregon counties in FEMA's National Risk Index. Marion County carries the state's highest lightning score at 88.2, with $986K in expected annual lightning losses.
5 Oregon counties are rated High or Very High for lightning, and expected annual losses from lightning total roughly $11M statewide. The full ranking below links to each county's complete 18-hazard risk profile.
County Rankings — Lightning
| # | County | Lightning Score | Rating | Ann. Freq. | Ann. Loss |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Marion County | High | 7.27 / yr | $986K | |
| 2 | Lane County | High | 7.54 / yr | $1M | |
| 3 | Wheeler County | High | 14.68 / yr | $761K | |
| 4 | Deschutes County | High | 13.71 / yr | $1M | |
| 5 | Clackamas County | High | 8.43 / yr | $1M | |
| 6 | Washington County | Medium | 5.88 / yr | $1M | |
| 7 | Grant County | Medium | 19.69 / yr | $439K | |
| 8 | Linn County | Medium | 7.37 / yr | $492K | |
| 9 | Jefferson County | Medium | 10.95 / yr | $497K | |
| 10 | Crook County | Medium | 15.24 / yr | $313K | |
| 11 | Jackson County | Medium | 9.80 / yr | $336K | |
| 12 | Umatilla County | Low | 14.35 / yr | $236K | |
| 13 | Klamath County | Low | 14.13 / yr | $184K | |
| 14 | Douglas County | Low | 7.17 / yr | $150K | |
| 15 | Multnomah County | Low | 7.96 / yr | $219K | |
| 16 | Benton County | Low | 4.99 / yr | $203K | |
| 17 | Wasco County | Low | 7.98 / yr | $163K | |
| 18 | Yamhill County | Low | 4.86 / yr | $167K | |
| 19 | Harney County | Low | 18.78 / yr | $110K | |
| 20 | Polk County | Low | 4.96 / yr | $153K | |
| 21 | Union County | Low | 19.46 / yr | $99K | |
| 22 | Josephine County | Low | 5.95 / yr | $88K | |
| 23 | Malheur County | Low | 20.67 / yr | $100K | |
| 24 | Lincoln County | Low | 6.25 / yr | $72K | |
| 25 | Gilliam County | Low | 8.85 / yr | $79K | |
| 26 | Coos County | Low | 5.51 / yr | $71K | |
| 27 | Baker County | Very Low | 21.08 / yr | $64K | |
| 28 | Lake County | Very Low | 15.40 / yr | $62K | |
| 29 | Clatsop County | Very Low | 5.20 / yr | $50K | |
| 30 | Hood River County | Very Low | 6.22 / yr | $86K | |
| 31 | Morrow County | Very Low | 10.77 / yr | $57K | |
| 32 | Sherman County | Very Low | 7.34 / yr | $54K | |
| 33 | Wallowa County | Very Low | 20.75 / yr | $34K | |
| 34 | Curry County | Very Low | 6.15 / yr | $31K | |
| 35 | Tillamook County | Very Low | 5.77 / yr | $37K | |
| 36 | Columbia County | Very Low | 5.57 / yr | $16K |
36 Oregon counties with measurable lightning risk. See the national lightning ranking or all Oregon counties by overall risk.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Oregon county has the highest lightning risk?
Marion County has the highest FEMA lightning risk score in Oregon at 88.2 (High), with $986K in expected annual losses and about 7.27 events per year.
How many Oregon counties face significant lightning risk?
36 Oregon counties record measurable lightning risk in FEMA's National Risk Index; 5 of them are rated High or Very High.