Shasta County
California — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
MediumComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 93th
Shasta County faces medium composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 93.4, 93th national percentile), driven primarily by wildfire and earthquake exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $135M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Wildfire | High | 0.01 / yr | $35M |
| Earthquake | Medium | 0.02 / yr | $24M |
| Riverine Flood | High | 1.00 / yr | $72M |
| Volcanic Activity | Medium | 0.00 / yr | $245K |
| Landslide | Medium | 6.43 / yr | $78K |
| Heat Wave | Medium | 5.00 / yr | $2M |
| Drought | Medium | 76.70 / yr | $720K |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 20.88 / yr | $131K |
| Lightning | Medium | 14.19 / yr | $432K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $273 |
| Hail | Very Low | 0.10 / yr | $58K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.07 / yr | $149K |
| Strong Wind | Very Low | 0.02 / yr | $57K |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $1 |
| 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 Shasta County?
Shasta County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 93.4 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 Shasta County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Wildfire (High, $35M EAL), Earthquake (Medium, $24M EAL), Riverine Flood (High, $72M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Shasta County compare to other California counties?
Shasta County ranks #33 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. Shasta County's $135M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.