riskbycounty
FEMA NRI 1.19.0Updated Nov 2023 · Coverage 2014–2023Methodology

Lassen County Disaster Risk

Lassen County, California

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

73th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#54

of 58 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

74th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 74% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively High

Higher than 97% 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 90% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Lassen County, California

Lassen County's moderate risk profile

Lassen County scores 73.1 on the composite risk scale, earning a "Relatively Low" rating that sits comfortably below both the national average and California's state average of 88.7. The county has more breathing room than most California peers on disaster preparedness.

Among California's safer counties

Lassen County ranks in California's lower half for composite disaster risk, placing it in a much safer tier than high-risk urban and fire-prone regions. Its 73.1 score reflects meaningful but manageable natural hazard exposure.

Significantly safer than Lake County

Lassen County's 73.1 risk score stands well below neighboring Lake County (93.0) and well below the state average, positioning it as the region's lowest-risk county. This differential reflects Lassen's smaller population and lower exposure to some urban hazards.

Wildfire is the primary concern

Lassen County's greatest natural disaster risk stems from wildfire (97.5 out of 100), a hazard that dominates the region's exposure profile. Earthquake risk (89.7) ranks as a secondary concern, while flood and tornado risks remain relatively modest.

Focus on wildfire protection

Lassen County residents should prioritize dedicated wildfire insurance and maintain defensible space around homes, given the county's extreme wildfire risk score. Standard homeowners insurance should also include earthquake coverage for additional security.

Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Lassen County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    97th percentile
  2. #2
    EarthquakePrepare
    90th percentile
  3. #3
    FloodPrepare
    74th percentile

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Lassen County

Risk Verdict

With a national percentile rank of 73th, Lassen County faces below-average hazard exposure relative to U.S. counties as a whole. Above-average risk does not mean imminent danger; it signals that informed, hazard-specific preparedness has high value here.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is Lassen County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 97th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 90th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (74th percentile), tornado (3th percentile).

Preparedness Context

At the 97th percentile nationally for wildfire risk, Lassen 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. A secondary earthquake exposure at the 90th percentile nationally means Lassen County residents face hazards from two distinct natural peril categories during different seasons. 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 Lassen County residents.

Regional Context

Lassen County falls 15.6 points below California's typical county risk level, making it one of the safer natural-hazard environments in the state.

Is your household prepared for Lassen County's hazards?

Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.

FEMA Ready Guide →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the natural disaster risk in Lassen County, CA?
Lassen County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 73th 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 Lassen County?
Lassen County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (97th percentile), earthquake (90th percentile), flooding (74th percentile), tornado (3th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire 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 Lassen County risk compare to the California average?
Lassen County's composite risk percentile is 73th, compared to the California state average of 89th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Moderate. This means Lassen County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in California.
Is Lassen County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Lassen County's wildfire risk is at the 97th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Lassen County is at the 74th 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.
Is Lassen County a safe place to live?
Lassen County's composite risk score of 73th percentile is below the California state average of 89th percentile, indicating relatively lower exposure to natural hazards. However, no county is completely risk-free. The primary hazard type is wildfire at the 97th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Glenn County

California

+1.3

Relatively Low

74th percentile

Amador County

California

+6.1

Relatively Low

79th percentile

Inyo County

California

+6.2

Relatively Low

79th percentile

By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, 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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