Union County

Oregon — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment

Low

Composite Risk Score

43.5

National percentile: 44th

Union County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 43.5, 44th national percentile), driven primarily by wildfire and cold wave exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $12M.

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025

Expected Annual Loss $12M Annualized county-level EAL
Social Vulnerability Medium Population sensitivity
Community Resilience Low Capacity to recover
Population 26K Latest estimate

Top Hazards

Wildfire
Medium $2M/yr
Cold Wave
Medium $4M/yr
Avalanche
Medium $656K/yr

All 18 Hazard Risks

Wildfire Medium 0.01 / yr $2M
Cold Wave Medium 0.18 / yr $4M
Avalanche Medium 0.07 / yr $656K
Winter Weather Medium 18.67 / yr $192K
Earthquake Low 0.00 / yr $1M
Landslide Low 0.89 / yr $4K
Ice Storm Low 0.04 / yr $76K
Heat Wave Low 2.53 / yr $276K
Riverine Flood Low 0.39 / yr $4M
Lightning Low 19.46 / yr $99K
Hail Very Low 0.38 / yr $69K
Strong Wind Very Low 0.19 / yr $124K
Drought Very Low 22.43 / yr $909
Tornado Very Low 0.06 / yr $25K
Coastal Flood Very Low 0.00 / yr $0
Hurricane Very Low 0.00 / yr $0
Tsunami Very Low 0.00 / yr $0
Volcanic Activity Very Low 0.00 / yr $0

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the overall natural disaster risk for Union County?

Union County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 43.5 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 44th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.

What are the top natural hazards in Union County?

The three highest-rated hazards are Wildfire (Medium, $2M EAL), Cold Wave (Medium, $4M EAL), Avalanche (Medium, $656K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.

How does Union County compare to other Oregon counties?

Union County ranks #24 of 36 Oregon 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. Union County's $12M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.