Placer County
California — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
MediumComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 93th
Placer County faces medium composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 93.1, 93th national percentile), driven primarily by wildfire and avalanche exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $163M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Wildfire | High | 0.01 / yr | $25M |
| Avalanche | Very High | 0.47 / yr | $7M |
| Riverine Flood | High | 1.11 / yr | $107M |
| Earthquake | Medium | 0.03 / yr | $19M |
| Drought | Medium | 62.48 / yr | $2M |
| Landslide | Low | 2.28 / yr | $40K |
| Lightning | High | 14.21 / yr | $983K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 4.30 / yr | $1M |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $95 |
| Winter Weather | Low | 27.20 / yr | $73K |
| Hail | Very Low | 0.16 / yr | $118K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.14 / yr | $387K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 0.07 / yr | $245K |
| 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 Placer County?
Placer County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 93.1 out of 100, placing it in the Medium category and the 93th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Placer County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Wildfire (High, $25M EAL), Avalanche (Very High, $7M EAL), Riverine Flood (High, $107M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Placer County compare to other California counties?
Placer County ranks #34 of 58 California counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a medium 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. Placer County's $163M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.