Cochise County Disaster Risk
Cochise County, Arizona
FEMA Risk Rating
Relatively Moderate
National Percentile
93th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#7
of 15 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
94th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Moderate
Higher than 94% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Relatively High
Higher than 99% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Very Low
Higher than 10% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 78% of US counties
Hurricane
Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk
Very Low
Higher than 34% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Cochise County, Arizona
Cochise County faces moderate-to-high risks
Cochise County scores 92.84 on the composite risk scale, placing it in the "Relatively Moderate" category and above Arizona's state average of 84.45. This southeastern county contends with multiple overlapping hazards that demand serious preparation.
Above-average risk statewide
Cochise County ranks significantly higher than the Arizona average, placing it among the state's more hazard-exposed counties. Its composite score of 92.84 puts it squarely in the moderate-risk tier, comparable to other challenging areas in southern Arizona.
Riskier than most surrounding areas
Cochise County's 92.84 score exceeds Graham County (64.60) to the north and sits slightly below Gila County (90.17) to the northwest. Its elevation places it among Arizona's higher-risk counties, driven by multiple converging hazards.
Wildfire, flood, and earthquakes threaten
Cochise County faces near-extreme wildfire risk (99.17) alongside significant flood danger (93.83), making these the top two concerns. Earthquake risk scores 78.50, adding seismic vulnerability to the hazard profile and affecting building safety decisions.
Layer insurance for multiple hazards
Cochise County residents need wildfire and flood coverage beyond standard homeowners policies, given both hazards score above 93. Consider earthquake insurance as well, particularly if your home is older or lacks seismic reinforcement.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Cochise County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Cochise County
Risk Verdict
Natural hazard risk in Cochise County is higher than the majority of U.S. counties, with a national composite rank of 93th. Cochise County's elevated composite score reflects cumulative multi-hazard exposure; households should prepare for the county's two or three primary hazard types.
Hazard Breakdown
Wildfire risk is Cochise County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 99th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Flood ranks second at the 94th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (78th percentile), hurricane (34th percentile), tornado (10th percentile).
Preparedness Context
At the 99th percentile nationally for wildfire, Cochise County residents should verify whether their insurance policy includes replacement cost coverage for structures and whether the insurer still writes new policies in this fire-risk zone. The county's flood exposure at the 94th percentile nationally complements the wildfire risk — saturating rain after burn scarring often triggers secondary flood and debris flow events. Local USFS or Cal Fire (where applicable) fire risk maps and seasonal Red Flag Warning alerts from the National Weather Service are two free resources Cochise County residents can use to stay ahead of rapidly changing wildfire conditions.
Regional Context
A composite score 8.4 points above the Arizona state average puts Cochise County in a higher-risk category than most counties in the state.
Is your household prepared for Cochise County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Cochise County, AZ?
What types of natural hazards affect Cochise County?
How does Cochise County risk compare to the Arizona average?
Is Cochise County at risk for wildfire?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Why is Cochise County higher risk than average?
Data Source
Risk data sourced from the FEMA National Risk Index (NRI). Risk scores are relative rankings (0–100) across all US counties — not absolute risk measures. Higher scores indicate higher relative risk compared to other counties.
Disclaimer: This data is informational only. It is not financial, insurance, or legal advice. Always consult a qualified professional before making insurance or real estate decisions.