Wasco County

Oregon — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment

Low

Composite Risk Score

67.8

National percentile: 68th

Wasco County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 67.8, 68th national percentile), driven primarily by wildfire and volcanic activity exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $29M.

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025

Expected Annual Loss $29M Annualized county-level EAL
Social Vulnerability Low Population sensitivity
Community Resilience Medium Capacity to recover
Population 27K Latest estimate

Top Hazards

Wildfire
High $15M/yr
Volcanic Activity
Low $28K/yr
Ice Storm
High $609K/yr

All 18 Hazard Risks

Wildfire High 0.02 / yr $15M
Volcanic Activity Low 0.01 / yr $28K
Ice Storm High 0.25 / yr $609K
Earthquake Low 0.01 / yr $2M
Avalanche Low 0.03 / yr $9K
Riverine Flood Low 0.11 / yr $9M
Landslide Very Low 1.08 / yr $2K
Cold Wave Low 0.39 / yr $799K
Heat Wave Low 3.50 / yr $280K
Winter Weather Low 13.31 / yr $49K
Lightning Low 7.98 / yr $163K
Drought Very Low 55.47 / yr $2K
Hail Very Low 0.25 / yr $62K
Strong Wind Very Low 0.10 / yr $135K
Tornado Very Low 0.06 / yr $18K
Coastal Flood Very Low 0.00 / yr $0
Hurricane Very Low 0.00 / yr $0
Tsunami Very Low 0.00 / yr $0

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the overall natural disaster risk for Wasco County?

Wasco County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 67.8 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 68th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.

What are the top natural hazards in Wasco County?

The three highest-rated hazards are Wildfire (High, $15M EAL), Volcanic Activity (Low, $28K EAL), Ice Storm (High, $609K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.

How does Wasco County compare to other Oregon counties?

Wasco County ranks #22 of 36 Oregon counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.

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. Wasco County's $29M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.