riskbycounty
FEMA National Risk Index

Del Norte County Disaster Risk

Del Norte County, California

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively High

National Percentile

94th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#30

of 58 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

78th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 78% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Moderate

Higher than 86% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 3% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Moderate

Higher than 94% of US counties

Risk Advisory: Del Norte County

Risk Verdict

Del Norte County carries a relatively high overall disaster risk profile, scoring in the 94th percentile nationally. This places it among the most at-risk counties in the United States. Residents should prioritize comprehensive emergency preparedness, including reviewing insurance coverage and having an evacuation plan.

Hazard Breakdown

Earthquake risk is the dominant hazard for Del Norte County, scoring in the 94th percentile nationally. It is followed by wildfire risk at the 86th percentile. Additional hazards include flood (78th), tornado (3th).

Preparedness Context

With earthquake risk as the top concern, Del Norte County residents should secure heavy furniture and appliances, know how to shut off utilities, and keep emergency supplies accessible. Secondary risks such as wildfire also warrant attention in household and community preparedness planning. FEMA recommends all households maintain at least 72 hours of food, water, and medication supplies regardless of specific hazard exposure.

Regional Context

Del Norte County is significantly riskier than the average county in California. Its composite risk score is 5.7 points higher than the state average, meaning residents face above-average exposure to natural hazards compared to their neighbors.

Is your home insured against Del Norte County's risks?

Compare home and flood insurance quotes in minutes.

Get Quotes →

Sponsored

High flood risk area

Learn about NFIP flood insurance coverage for your property.

Learn More →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the natural disaster risk in Del Norte County, CA?
Del Norte County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively High, placing it in the 94th percentile nationally out of 3,144 counties. This composite score reflects the county's overall exposure to natural hazards including floods, wildfires, tornadoes, earthquakes, and hurricanes, weighted by expected annual loss and social vulnerability.
What types of natural hazards affect Del Norte County?
Del Norte County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: earthquake (94th percentile), wildfire (86th percentile), flooding (78th percentile), tornado (3th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is earthquake at the 94th percentile nationally. These scores are derived from FEMA's National Risk Index, which analyzes expected annual loss, social vulnerability, and community resilience for each hazard type.
How does Del Norte County risk compare to the California average?
Del Norte County's composite risk percentile is 94th, compared to the California state average of 89th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Moderate. This means Del Norte County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in California.
Is Del Norte County at risk for earthquake?
Yes, Del Norte County's earthquake risk is at the 94th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Del Norte County is at the 78th percentile.
How is natural disaster risk measured?
FEMA's National Risk Index (NRI) calculates risk scores for 18 natural hazard types across all U.S. counties and census tracts. The composite score combines Expected Annual Loss (estimated dollar losses from each hazard), Social Vulnerability (demographic factors affecting disaster impact), and Community Resilience (ability to recover). Percentile scores rank each county against all 3,144 U.S. counties, and risk ratings range from Very Low to Very High.
Why is Del Norte County higher risk than average?
Del Norte County's composite risk score of 94th percentile is above the California state average of 89th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by earthquake exposure (94th percentile), along with wildfire and flooding risk. Geographic location, terrain, climate patterns, and proximity to flood zones or fault lines all influence a county's risk profile.

Counties with Similar Risk

Mendocino County

California

-0.1

Relatively High

94th percentile

Butte County

California

-0.5

Relatively Moderate

94th percentile

Napa County

California

+0.8

Relatively High

95th percentile

By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & Data Editor

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.

Explore more data for Del Norte County

Property TaxCost of LivingCrime RateIncomeHealthSchoolsWater QualityWeatherCounty Score