Umatilla County, Oregon Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · OR
MediumComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 82th
Umatilla County faces medium composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 82.3, 82th national percentile), driven primarily by wildfire and cold wave exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $40M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Umatilla County at medium composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 82.3 out of 100 — placing it in the 82nd 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 Umatilla County's expected losses come from wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Medium risk — $4M in expected annual loss and about 0.01 events per year; cold wave (prolonged spells of dangerously low temperatures) at High risk — $9M in expected annual loss and about 0.26 events per year; and ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at High risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 0.35 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $40M in expected annual loss for a population of 80K.
Beyond physical exposure, Umatilla 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 federal record bears this out: Umatilla County has received 13 federal disaster declarations since 1964, including 4 for flood events and 3 for fire events. The most recent was Wildfires (fire), declared in January 2025.
Among 36 Oregon counties, Umatilla County ranks #17 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Wildfire | Medium | 0.01 / yr | $4M |
| Cold Wave | High | 0.26 / yr | $9M |
| Ice Storm | High | 0.35 / yr | $1M |
| Landslide | Medium | 1.72 / yr | $48K |
| Winter Weather | High | 15.00 / yr | $329K |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.01 / yr | $3M |
| Heat Wave | Medium | 4.84 / yr | $2M |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 0.28 / yr | $1M |
| Drought | Medium | 24.39 / yr | $913K |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 0.64 / yr | $18M |
| Avalanche | Low | 0.03 / yr | $19K |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $102 |
| Lightning | Low | 14.35 / yr | $236K |
| Hail | Low | 0.39 / yr | $238K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.10 / yr | $91K |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Disaster History
Umatilla County has received 13 federal disaster declarations since 1964, most recently Wildfires in January 2025. Most frequent causes: Flood (4), Fire (3), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| January 2025 | Fire | Wildfires |
| July 2024 | Fire | Battle Mountain Fire Complex |
| April 2020 | Flood | Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| July 2019 | Flood | Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| September 2005 | Coastal Storm | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| February 2004 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms |
| August 2001 | Fire | Or Bridge Creek Fires 2375 |
| January 1997 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms, Land and Mudslides, Flooding |
Showing the 10 most recent of 13 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Umatilla County?
Umatilla County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 82.3 out of 100, placing it in the Medium category and the 82th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Umatilla County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Wildfire (Medium, $4M EAL), Cold Wave (High, $9M EAL), Ice Storm (High, $1M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Umatilla County compare to other Oregon counties?
Umatilla County ranks #17 of 36 Oregon counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a medium rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Umatilla County had?
FEMA records 13 federal disaster declarations for Umatilla County since 1964, most often 4 for flood events and 3 for fire 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. Umatilla County's $40M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.