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 Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Del Norte County, California
Del Norte faces above-average national risk
Del Norte County's composite risk score of 94.43 exceeds the national average, placing it in the relatively high category. The northernmost California coastal location exposes residents to significant earthquake, flood, and wildfire threats.
Well above California's average exposure
Del Norte's score of 94.43 surpasses California's state average of 88.72, ranking the county among the state's higher-risk areas. This positioning reflects the county's unique combination of coastal proximity, seismic activity, and forest landscape hazards.
Comparable risk to nearby Butte County
Del Norte (94.43) and Butte County (93.92) present nearly identical risk profiles, both falling in the upper-middle tier statewide. The remote northern location distinguishes Del Norte from the Bay Area's extreme-risk counties (Alameda and Contra Costa).
Earthquake and flood pose major threats
Earthquake risk (94.24) and flood risk (77.80) dominate Del Norte County's hazard profile, with wildfire risk (85.66) adding significant secondary exposure. The county's coastal terrain and proximity to rivers create compounded flood and tsunami vulnerabilities.
Prioritize earthquake and flood insurance now
Del Norte homeowners should secure both earthquake insurance and flood coverage through the National Flood Insurance Program or private carriers. The county's remote location can delay emergency response, making financial preparedness through insurance especially critical.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Del Norte County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Del Norte County
Risk Verdict
Del Norte County ranks in the top tier for natural disaster risk nationally, with a composite score at the 94th percentile. Comprehensive household preparedness — including reviewing insurance, maintaining emergency supplies, and knowing evacuation routes — is strongly recommended.
Hazard Breakdown
Earthquake risk is Del Norte County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 94th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Wildfire ranks second at the 86th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (78th percentile), tornado (3th percentile).
Preparedness Context
Del Norte County ranks at the 94th percentile nationally for earthquake risk. Unlike most natural hazards, earthquakes provide no advance warning; preparedness here means structural adjustments and a practiced response, not alert monitoring. Alongside earthquake exposure, Del Norte County's wildfire risk at the 86th percentile nationally reinforces the value of maintaining a household emergency supply cache usable for multiple hazard scenarios. For earthquake preparedness, Del Norte County's county emergency management office often maintains a list of community water supply points, Red Cross shelter locations, and post-quake assistance programs — useful resources to identify before an event occurs.
Regional Context
Compared to other California counties, Del Norte County runs 5.7 composite risk points higher than the state mean — reflecting above-average hazard concentration in this area.
Is your household prepared for Del Norte County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Del Norte County, CA?
What types of natural hazards affect Del Norte County?
How does Del Norte County risk compare to the California average?
Is Del Norte County at risk for earthquake?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Why is Del Norte 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.