Wheeler County
Oregon — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 7th
Wheeler County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 7.2, 7th national percentile), driven primarily by wildfire and lightning exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $3M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Wildfire | Low | 0.01 / yr | $816K |
| Lightning | High | 14.68 / yr | $761K |
| Landslide | Low | 1.21 / yr | $4K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $2K |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $6 |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $17K |
| Drought | Very Low | 59.03 / yr | $179 |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.46 / yr | $1M |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 13.04 / yr | $7K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 3.17 / yr | $7K |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 0.18 / yr | $22K |
| Hail | Very Low | 0.28 / yr | $11K |
| Strong Wind | Very Low | 0.11 / yr | $13K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $653 |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.02 / yr | $629 |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Wheeler County?
Wheeler County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 7.2 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 7th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Wheeler County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Wildfire (Low, $816K EAL), Lightning (High, $761K EAL), Landslide (Low, $4K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Wheeler County compare to other Oregon counties?
Wheeler County ranks #34 of 36 Oregon counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very 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. Wheeler County's $3M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.