Yamhill County, Oregon Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · OR
MediumComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 83th
Yamhill County faces medium composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 82.9, 83th national percentile), driven primarily by earthquake and heat wave exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $56M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Yamhill County at medium composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 82.9 out of 100 — placing it in the 83rd 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.
The county's risk is driven primarily by earthquake (ground shaking from sudden movement along geologic faults) at Medium risk — $34M in expected annual loss and about 0.02 events per year; heat wave (prolonged periods of extreme heat that threaten health and infrastructure) at Medium risk — $3M in expected annual loss and about 6.14 events per year; and landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Medium risk — $50K in expected annual loss and about 4.43 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $56M in expected annual loss for a population of 106K.
Beyond physical exposure, Yamhill County has a low 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). A less vulnerable population paired with strong resilience helps the community absorb and recover from events.
History supports the rating: Yamhill County has received 19 federal disaster declarations since 1964, including 10 for severe storm events and 3 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (severe storm), declared in April 2026.
Among 36 Oregon counties, Yamhill County ranks #16 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Earthquake | Medium | 0.02 / yr | $34M |
| Heat Wave | Medium | 6.14 / yr | $3M |
| Landslide | Medium | 4.43 / yr | $50K |
| Volcanic Activity | Low | 0.01 / yr | $3K |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 0.21 / yr | $18M |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.73 / yr | $232K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $59K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 0.05 / yr | $514K |
| Lightning | Low | 4.86 / yr | $167K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 8.77 / yr | $33K |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 0.08 / yr | $291K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.07 / yr | $237K |
| Drought | Very Low | 0.12 / yr | $3 |
| Hail | Very Low | 0.05 / yr | $32K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $4 |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $0 |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Disaster History
Yamhill County has received 19 federal disaster declarations since 1964, most recently Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides in April 2026. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (10), Flood (3), Fire (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| April 2026 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| April 2024 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| May 2021 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| September 2020 | Fire | Wildfires and Straight-Line Winds |
| September 2020 | Fire | Chehalem Mountain Bald Peak Fire |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| February 2016 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| March 2009 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm, Record and Near Record Snow |
| December 2007 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
Showing the 10 most recent of 19 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Yamhill County?
Yamhill County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 82.9 out of 100, placing it in the Medium category and the 83th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Yamhill County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Earthquake (Medium, $34M EAL), Heat Wave (Medium, $3M EAL), Landslide (Medium, $50K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Yamhill County compare to other Oregon counties?
Yamhill County ranks #16 of 36 Oregon counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a medium rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Yamhill County had?
FEMA records 19 federal disaster declarations for Yamhill County since 1964, most often 10 for severe storm events and 3 for flood 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. Yamhill County's $56M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.