Inyo County
California — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 79th
Inyo County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 79.3, 79th national percentile), driven primarily by heat wave and avalanche exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $28M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Heat Wave | High | 10.39 / yr | $9M |
| Avalanche | Very High | 0.17 / yr | $3M |
| Earthquake | Medium | 0.08 / yr | $8M |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $429K |
| Landslide | Low | 30.58 / yr | $16K |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $48 |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 4.96 / yr | $7M |
| Winter Weather | Low | 4.55 / yr | $44K |
| Lightning | Low | 15.90 / yr | $88K |
| Drought | Very Low | 152.70 / yr | $6K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.10 / yr | $4K |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Strong Wind | Very Low | 0.06 / yr | $6K |
| Hail | Very Low | 0.02 / yr | $1K |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Inyo County?
Inyo County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 79.3 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 79th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Inyo County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Heat Wave (High, $9M EAL), Avalanche (Very High, $3M EAL), Earthquake (Medium, $8M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Inyo County compare to other California counties?
Inyo County ranks #51 of 58 California 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. Inyo County's $28M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.