Wallowa County, Oregon Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · OR
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 34th
Wallowa County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 34.0, 34th national percentile), driven primarily by wildfire and avalanche exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $8M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Wallowa County is very low, with a National Risk Index score of 34.0 out of 100 — placing it in the 34th 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; avalanche (fast-moving snow and debris sliding down steep mountain slopes) at High risk — $914K in expected annual loss and about 0.07 events per year; and landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Low risk — $10K in expected annual loss and about 1.68 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $8M in expected annual loss for a population of 7K.
Beyond physical exposure, Wallowa County has a very high 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). Higher vulnerability is partly offset by strong community resilience and recovery capacity.
History supports the rating: Wallowa County has received 11 federal disaster declarations since 1964, including 4 for flood events and 2 for biological events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (flood), declared in April 2020.
Among 36 Oregon counties, Wallowa County ranks #26 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Wildfire | Medium | 0.01 / yr | $2M |
| Avalanche | High | 0.07 / yr | $914K |
| Landslide | Low | 1.68 / yr | $10K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 17.60 / yr | $60K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.61 / yr | $5M |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $95K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 0.28 / yr | $421K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.03 / yr | $25K |
| Hail | Very Low | 0.37 / yr | $85K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 2.25 / yr | $57K |
| Drought | Very Low | 28.97 / yr | $392 |
| Lightning | Very Low | 20.75 / yr | $34K |
| Strong Wind | Very Low | 0.16 / yr | $21K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.10 / yr | $10K |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Disaster History
Wallowa County has received 11 federal disaster declarations since 1964, most recently Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides in April 2020. Most frequent causes: Flood (4), Biological (2), Severe Storm (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| April 2020 | Flood | Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| August 2015 | Fire | Grizzly Bear Fire Complex |
| September 2005 | Coastal Storm | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| February 2004 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms |
| January 1997 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms, Land and Mudslides, Flooding |
| February 1996 | Flood | High Winds, Severe Storms and Flooding |
| April 1977 | Drought | Drought |
| January 1974 | Flood | Severe Storms, Snowmelt & Flooding |
Showing the 10 most recent of 11 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Wallowa County?
Wallowa County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 34.0 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 34th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Wallowa County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Wildfire (Medium, $2M EAL), Avalanche (High, $914K EAL), Landslide (Low, $10K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Wallowa County compare to other Oregon counties?
Wallowa County ranks #26 of 36 Oregon counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Wallowa County had?
FEMA records 11 federal disaster declarations for Wallowa County since 1964, most often 4 for flood events and 2 for biological events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides, declared in April 2020.
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. Wallowa County's $8M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.