Linn County, Oregon Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · OR
MediumComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 88th
Linn County faces medium composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 88.1, 88th national percentile), driven primarily by earthquake and volcanic activity exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $71M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Linn County carries a medium composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 88.1 out of 100 — placing it in the 88th national percentile and near the national midpoint for natural-disaster risk. The score blends Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across all 18 FEMA hazard types.
Most of Linn County's expected losses come from earthquake (ground shaking from sudden movement along geologic faults) at Medium risk — $38M in expected annual loss and about 0.02 events per year; volcanic activity (eruptions producing ashfall, lava, and pyroclastic hazards) at Low risk — $34K in expected annual loss and about 0.01 events per year; and riverine flood (rivers and streams overflowing their banks after heavy rain or snowmelt) at Medium risk — $28M in expected annual loss and about 0.25 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $71M in expected annual loss for a population of 129K.
Beyond physical exposure, Linn County has a medium 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.
The county's disaster history tells the same story: Linn County has received 21 federal disaster declarations since 1964, including 9 for severe storm events and 5 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (severe storm), declared in April 2026.
Among 36 Oregon counties, Linn County ranks #12 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Earthquake | Medium | 0.02 / yr | $38M |
| Volcanic Activity | Low | 0.01 / yr | $34K |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 0.25 / yr | $28M |
| Strong Wind | High | 0.05 / yr | $2M |
| Heat Wave | Medium | 5.05 / yr | $2M |
| Landslide | Low | 1.96 / yr | $14K |
| Lightning | Medium | 7.37 / yr | $492K |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 23.03 / yr | $101K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $75K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.39 / yr | $98K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $202 |
| Cold Wave | Low | 0.32 / yr | $485K |
| Hail | Very Low | 0.23 / yr | $83K |
| Drought | Very Low | 17.00 / yr | $2K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.13 / yr | $152K |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Disaster History
Linn County has received 21 federal disaster declarations since 1964, most recently Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides in April 2026. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (9), Flood (5), Fire (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 |
| May 2021 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| September 2020 | Fire | Wildfires and Straight-Line Winds |
| September 2020 | Fire | Wildfires |
| September 2020 | Fire | Beachie Creek Lionshead Fire Complex |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| July 2019 | Flood | Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| February 2016 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
Showing the 10 most recent of 21 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Linn County?
Linn County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 88.1 out of 100, placing it in the Medium category and the 88th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Linn County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Earthquake (Medium, $38M EAL), Volcanic Activity (Low, $34K EAL), Riverine Flood (Medium, $28M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Linn County compare to other Oregon counties?
Linn County ranks #12 of 36 Oregon counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a medium rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Linn County had?
FEMA records 21 federal disaster declarations for Linn County since 1964, most often 9 for severe storm events and 5 for flood 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. Linn County's $71M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.