El Dorado County Disaster Risk
El Dorado County, California
FEMA Risk Rating
Relatively Moderate
National Percentile
91th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#37
of 58 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
92th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Moderate
Higher than 92% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Very High
Higher than 100% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Very Low
Higher than 14% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Moderate
Higher than 92% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in El Dorado County, California
El Dorado's moderate risk above national baseline
El Dorado County scores 91.41 on the composite risk scale, placing it in the 'Relatively Moderate' category and above the national average. While the county faces real hazard exposure, most residents have manageable disaster preparation needs. This rating reflects a balanced risk profile across multiple natural hazard types.
Moderate among California's 58 counties
El Dorado's composite risk score of 91.41 exceeds California's average of 88.72, positioning it in the mid-to-upper range of state counties. The county ranks above several neighbors and statewide peers despite facing significant wildfire exposure. This above-average rating warrants proactive disaster preparedness from residents and local officials.
Higher risk than inland valley neighbors
El Dorado's 91.41 score ranks higher than Glenn County (74.43) and Inyo County (79.33), but lower than neighboring high-risk counties like Kern (98.89) and Fresno (99.30). The county's earthquake and flood risks particularly exceed those of lower-risk inland neighbors. This positions El Dorado as a regional moderate-to-high risk area.
Wildfire and earthquake dominate El Dorado
Wildfire risk scores an extreme 99.71, making it the county's most pressing hazard—well above state average—while earthquake risk reaches 91.57. Flood risk also presents substantial exposure at 91.70, particularly relevant during wet winters in Sierra foothills communities. Together, these three hazards account for the county's elevated composite risk profile.
Secure wildfire and earthquake coverage now
El Dorado residents should prioritize home insurance that explicitly covers wildfire damage, given the county's extreme 99.71 wildfire score. Earthquake insurance—often sold separately from standard homeowners policies—is essential given the 91.57 earthquake risk score. Bundling these coverage types with flood insurance creates comprehensive protection against the county's three primary hazards.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in El Dorado County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: El Dorado County
Risk Verdict
At the 91th percentile nationally, El Dorado County sits in the upper half of U.S. counties for natural disaster exposure. At this risk level, having a documented household preparedness plan — not just awareness — is the meaningful next step for El Dorado County residents.
Hazard Breakdown
Wildfire risk is El Dorado County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 100th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Flood ranks second at the 92th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (92th percentile), tornado (14th percentile).
Preparedness Context
El Dorado County sits at the 100th percentile for wildfire exposure. Signing up for El Dorado County's county emergency alert system and knowing the pre-planned evacuation route before conditions deteriorate are the two highest-value preparedness actions for residents here. A secondary flood exposure at the 92th percentile nationally means El Dorado County residents face hazards from two distinct natural peril categories during different seasons. In El Dorado County, wildfire smoke often precedes the flame front by hours or days; households benefit from tracking EPA's AirNow.gov and having HEPA air filtration available as a first line of indoor protection when air quality alerts are issued.
Regional Context
El Dorado County sits within 2.7 composite points of the California state average, suggesting the county's hazard exposure is representative of the broader regional pattern.
Is your household prepared for El Dorado County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in El Dorado County, CA?
What types of natural hazards affect El Dorado County?
How does El Dorado County risk compare to the California average?
Is El Dorado County at risk for wildfire?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Why is El Dorado 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.