Wasco County, Oregon Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · OR
LowComposite Risk Score
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
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Wasco County at low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 67.8 out of 100 — placing it in the 68th national percentile and below the national average for natural-disaster risk. 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 High risk — $15M in expected annual loss and about 0.02 events per year; volcanic activity (eruptions producing ashfall, lava, and pyroclastic hazards) at Low risk — $28K in expected annual loss and about 0.01 events per year; and ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at High risk — $609K in expected annual loss and about 0.25 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $29M in expected annual loss for a population of 27K.
Beyond physical exposure, Wasco County has a low social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a medium community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). Both measures sit toward the lower end, indicating relatively modest population sensitivity.
History supports the rating: Wasco County has received 25 federal disaster declarations since 1964, including 13 for fire events and 4 for severe storm events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (severe storm), declared in April 2026.
Among 36 Oregon counties, Wasco County ranks #22 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
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 |
Disaster History
Wasco County has received 25 federal disaster declarations since 1964, most recently Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides in April 2026. Most frequent causes: Fire (13), Severe Storm (4), Flood (4).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| April 2026 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| June 2025 | Fire | Rowena Fire |
| January 2025 | Fire | Wildfires |
| July 2024 | Fire | Larch Creek Fire |
| April 2024 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| August 2022 | Fire | Miller Road Fire |
| September 2020 | Fire | Wildfires and Straight-Line Winds |
| August 2020 | Fire | White River Fire |
| August 2020 | Fire | Mosier Creek Fire |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
Showing the 10 most recent of 25 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
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.
How many federally declared disasters has Wasco County had?
FEMA records 25 federal disaster declarations for Wasco County since 1964, most often 13 for fire events and 4 for severe storm 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. Wasco County's $29M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.