Malheur County, Oregon Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · OR
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 35th
Malheur County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 34.8, 35th national percentile), driven primarily by wildfire and winter weather exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $10M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Malheur County is very low, with a National Risk Index score of 34.8 out of 100 — placing it in the 35th 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 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; winter weather (heavy snow, blizzards, and hazardous winter conditions) at Medium risk — $213K in expected annual loss and about 10.53 events per year; and landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Low risk — $12K in expected annual loss and about 2.83 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $10M in expected annual loss for a population of 32K.
Beyond physical exposure, Malheur County has a medium social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a very low community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). Both measures sit toward the lower end, indicating relatively modest population sensitivity.
The county's disaster history tells the same story: Malheur County has received 7 federal disaster declarations since 1964, including 2 for biological events and 1 for fire events. The most recent was Durkee Fire (fire), declared in July 2024.
Among 36 Oregon counties, Malheur County ranks #25 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Wildfire | Medium | 0.01 / yr | $2M |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 10.53 / yr | $213K |
| Landslide | Low | 2.83 / yr | $12K |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $830K |
| Avalanche | Low | 0.01 / yr | $4K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 3.61 / yr | $527K |
| Hail | Low | 0.11 / yr | $303K |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $15 |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.79 / yr | $7M |
| Lightning | Low | 20.67 / yr | $100K |
| Drought | Very Low | 93.24 / yr | $9K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $9K |
| Strong Wind | Very Low | 0.15 / yr | $122K |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 0.05 / yr | $76K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.24 / yr | $49K |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Disaster History
Malheur County has received 7 federal disaster declarations since 1964, most recently Durkee Fire in July 2024. Most frequent causes: Biological (2), Fire (1), Coastal Storm (1).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| July 2024 | Fire | Durkee Fire |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| September 2005 | Coastal Storm | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| February 2004 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms |
| April 1977 | Drought | Drought |
| December 1964 | Flood | Heavy Rains & Flooding |
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Malheur County?
Malheur County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 34.8 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 35th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Malheur County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Wildfire (Medium, $2M EAL), Winter Weather (Medium, $213K EAL), Landslide (Low, $12K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Malheur County compare to other Oregon counties?
Malheur County ranks #25 of 36 Oregon counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Malheur County had?
FEMA records 7 federal disaster declarations for Malheur County since 1964, most often 2 for biological events and 1 for fire events. The most recent was Durkee Fire, declared in July 2024.
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. Malheur County's $10M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.