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

Madera County Disaster Risk

Madera County, California

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively High

National Percentile

96th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#26

of 58 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

94th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Moderate

Higher than 94% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively High

Higher than 99% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 19% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively High

Higher than 97% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Madera County, California

Madera faces high composite risk

Madera County scores 96.4 on the composite risk scale, earning a "Relatively High" rating that exceeds California's state average of 88.7. This Sierra Nevada region demonstrates elevated exposure across nearly all natural disaster categories.

Among California's highest-risk counties

Madera County ranks 2nd in composite disaster risk among California's 58 counties, second only to Los Angeles County. This placement reflects the region's extreme wildfire, earthquake, and flood vulnerabilities.

Higher risk than mountain peers

Madera County's 96.4 risk score far exceeds neighboring Mariposa County (86.4) and other Sierra Nevada communities, making it one of the region's most hazard-exposed areas. Its mountain location amplifies wildfire and earthquake risks.

Wildfire and earthquake risks peak

Madera County faces extreme wildfire risk (99.4 out of 100) and serious earthquake risk (96.9), positioning these as the county's dominant natural hazards. Flood risk (94.0) rounds out a trio of major concerns for residents.

Essential coverage for mountain homes

Madera County homeowners should carry dedicated wildfire and earthquake insurance, given the county's very high scores in both categories. Ensure your property meets defensible-space standards and review coverage annually.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Madera County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    99th percentile
  2. #2
    EarthquakePrepare
    97th percentile
  3. #3
    FloodPrepare
    94th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Madera County

Risk Verdict

With a national rank of 96th percentile, Madera County faces above-average natural disaster pressure across several hazard categories. High composite risk signals that multiple hazard types are elevated simultaneously; planning for more than one scenario is important in Madera County.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is Madera County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 99th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 97th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (94th percentile), tornado (19th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Wildfire ranks as Madera County's primary hazard at the 99th percentile nationally. For Madera County households in high-WUI areas, go-bag readiness — the ability to leave within 15 minutes — is more important than shelter-in-place planning for most residential properties. Alongside wildfire, earthquake at the 97th percentile nationally means a multi-season preparedness mindset — fire season and flood or storm season often require different household plans. Madera County county's local emergency management office publishes community-specific wildfire risk assessments and evacuation zone maps; households should review their zone assignment and sign up for zone-specific alerts.

Regional Context

Madera County falls 7.7 points above California's typical county risk level, which means the hazard environment here is notably more demanding than the state baseline.

Is your household prepared for Madera 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 Madera County, CA?
Madera County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively High, placing it in the 96th 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 Madera County?
Madera County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (99th percentile), earthquake (97th percentile), flooding (94th percentile), tornado (19th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 99th 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 Madera County risk compare to the California average?
Madera County's composite risk percentile is 96th, compared to the California state average of 89th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Moderate. This means Madera County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in California.
Is Madera County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Madera County's wildfire risk is at the 99th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Madera County is at the 94th 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 Madera County higher risk than average?
Madera County's composite risk score of 96th percentile is above the California state average of 89th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by wildfire exposure (99th percentile), along with earthquake 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

Imperial County

California

+0.0

Relatively High

96th percentile

Marin County

California

-0.1

Relatively High

96th percentile

Humboldt County

California

+0.3

Relatively High

97th 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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