riskbycounty
FEMA National Risk Index

Kings County Disaster Risk

Kings County, California

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Moderate

National Percentile

92th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#36

of 58 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

88th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Moderate

Higher than 88% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 77% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 16% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively High

Higher than 97% of US counties

Risk Advisory: Kings County

Risk Verdict

Kings County has a relatively moderate overall disaster risk profile, scoring in the 92th percentile nationally. While not in the highest tier, this county faces meaningful hazard exposure. Residents are encouraged to understand their specific risks and maintain emergency supplies.

Hazard Breakdown

Earthquake risk is the dominant hazard for Kings County, scoring in the 97th percentile nationally. It is followed by flood risk at the 88th percentile. Additional hazards include wildfire (77th), tornado (16th).

Preparedness Context

With earthquake risk as the top concern, Kings County residents should secure heavy furniture and appliances, know how to shut off utilities, and keep emergency supplies accessible. Secondary risks such as flood 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

Kings County has a disaster risk profile close to the average county in California. Its composite risk score is within 3.7 points of the state average, meaning its overall hazard exposure is broadly representative of California as a whole.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the natural disaster risk in Kings County, CA?
Kings County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Moderate, placing it in the 92th 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 Kings County?
Kings County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: earthquake (97th percentile), flooding (88th percentile), wildfire (77th percentile), tornado (16th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is earthquake at the 97th 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 Kings County risk compare to the California average?
Kings County's composite risk percentile is 92th, compared to the California state average of 89th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Moderate. This means Kings County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in California.
Is Kings County at risk for earthquake?
Yes, Kings County's earthquake risk is at the 97th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Kings County is at the 88th 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 Kings County higher risk than average?
Kings County's composite risk score of 92th percentile is above the California state average of 89th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by earthquake exposure (97th percentile), along with flooding and wildfire 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

Lake County

California

+0.6

Relatively Moderate

93th percentile

Placer County

California

+0.6

Relatively Moderate

93th percentile

Shasta County

California

+1.0

Relatively Moderate

93th 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.

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