Kern County
California — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
HighComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 99th
Kern County faces high composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 98.9, 99th national percentile), driven primarily by wildfire and heat wave exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $417M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Wildfire | High | 0.01 / yr | $38M |
| Heat Wave | High | 7.49 / yr | $43M |
| Earthquake | High | 0.08 / yr | $184M |
| Riverine Flood | High | 5.64 / yr | $147M |
| Landslide | High | 128.61 / yr | $758K |
| Drought | High | 96.74 / yr | $2M |
| Lightning | High | 8.04 / yr | $761K |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 5.43 / yr | $190K |
| Hail | Low | 0.10 / yr | $414K |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $25 |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $336 |
| Strong Wind | Low | 0.06 / yr | $399K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.37 / yr | $186K |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $5K |
| 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 Kern County?
Kern County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 98.9 out of 100, placing it in the High category and the 99th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Kern County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Wildfire (High, $38M EAL), Heat Wave (High, $43M EAL), Earthquake (High, $184M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Kern County compare to other California counties?
Kern County ranks #15 of 58 California counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a high 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. Kern County's $417M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.