Butte County Disaster Risk
Butte County, California
FEMA Risk Rating
Relatively Moderate
National Percentile
94th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#32
of 58 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
93th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Moderate
Higher than 93% 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 28% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Relatively High
Higher than 97% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Butte County, California
Butte faces above-average national disaster risk
Butte County's composite risk score of 93.92 exceeds the national average, placing it in the relatively moderate-to-high category nationally. The county's exposure stems from significant wildfire, earthquake, and flood hazards characteristic of Northern California's geography.
Above California's average, but not extreme
Butte's score of 93.92 edges above California's state average of 88.72, ranking the county in the upper-middle tier of statewide risk. While this positions Butte as more exposed than many California communities, it remains less threatened than Bay Area counties like Alameda or Contra Costa.
Moderate risk compared to Sierra peers
Butte County (93.92) faces higher composite risk than Amador (79.20) and Calaveras (86.61), reflecting its larger footprint and proximity to the Central Valley. Del Norte County (94.43) to the north presents nearly identical threat levels.
Wildfire and flood dominate your hazard profile
Wildfire risk (98.54) and flood risk (93.23) are Butte's primary concerns, with earthquake risk (97.49) also significant. The 2018 Camp Fire tragedy underscores the catastrophic potential of the county's elevated wildfire exposure.
Comprehensive wildfire and flood coverage essential
Butte residents must secure separate wildfire and flood insurance, as standard policies exclude both hazards. Given recent fire history, maintaining defensible space around your home and staying current on evacuation routes are equally critical investments.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Butte County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Butte County
Risk Verdict
With a composite score at the 94th percentile, Butte County sits above the national median for natural hazard exposure. Proactive preparedness — not reactive response — is key to managing life in one of the country's higher-risk counties; Butte County residents should plan accordingly.
Hazard Breakdown
Wildfire risk is Butte County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 99th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 97th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (93th percentile), tornado (28th percentile).
Preparedness Context
At the 99th percentile nationally for wildfire risk, Butte County households benefit from creating defensible space — a buffer of reduced vegetation around structures — and reviewing whether homeowners insurance covers wildfire damage in this region. The county's earthquake exposure at the 97th percentile nationally complements the wildfire risk — saturating rain after burn scarring often triggers secondary flood and debris flow events. Enrolling in the county's wireless emergency alert system and keeping a vehicle at least half-full during peak fire season are low-cost habits that dramatically reduce evacuation lag time for Butte County residents.
Regional Context
At 5.2 points above the California state average, Butte County carries meaningfully higher natural disaster exposure than a typical California county.
Is your household prepared for Butte County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Butte County, CA?
What types of natural hazards affect Butte County?
How does Butte County risk compare to the California average?
Is Butte County at risk for wildfire?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Why is Butte 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.