Madera County
California — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
HighComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 96th
Madera County faces high composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 96.4, 96th national percentile), driven primarily by drought and wildfire exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $162M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Drought | Very High | 84.81 / yr | $63M |
| Wildfire | High | 0.01 / yr | $23M |
| Heat Wave | High | 6.60 / yr | $9M |
| Landslide | Medium | 28.58 / yr | $353K |
| Earthquake | Medium | 0.07 / yr | $20M |
| Riverine Flood | High | 1.43 / yr | $45M |
| Hail | Medium | 0.18 / yr | $512K |
| Lightning | Medium | 15.59 / yr | $382K |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 11.93 / yr | $85K |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $33 |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $107 |
| Strong Wind | Low | 0.05 / yr | $130K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.20 / yr | $156K |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Cold Wave | 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 Madera County?
Madera County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 96.4 out of 100, placing it in the High category and the 96th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Madera County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Drought (Very High, $63M EAL), Wildfire (High, $23M EAL), Heat Wave (High, $9M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Madera County compare to other California counties?
Madera County ranks #26 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. Madera County's $162M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.