riskbycounty
FEMA National Risk Index

Mariposa County Disaster Risk

Mariposa County, California

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Moderate

National Percentile

86th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#43

of 58 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

71th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 71% 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 6% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 67% of US counties

Risk Advisory: Mariposa County

Risk Verdict

Mariposa County has a relatively moderate overall disaster risk profile, scoring in the 86th 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

Wildfire risk is the dominant hazard for Mariposa County, scoring in the 99th percentile nationally. It is followed by flood risk at the 71th percentile. Additional hazards include earthquake (67th), tornado (6th).

Preparedness Context

With wildfire risk as the top concern, Mariposa County residents should create defensible space around your property, sign up for local emergency alerts, and prepare a go-bag with essential documents and medications. 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

Mariposa County has a disaster risk profile close to the average county in California. Its composite risk score is within 2.3 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 Mariposa County, CA?
Mariposa County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Moderate, placing it in the 86th 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 Mariposa County?
Mariposa County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (99th percentile), flooding (71th percentile), earthquake (67th percentile), tornado (6th 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 Mariposa County risk compare to the California average?
Mariposa County's composite risk percentile is 86th, compared to the California state average of 89th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Moderate. This means Mariposa County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in California.
Is Mariposa County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Mariposa County's wildfire risk is at the 99th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Mariposa County is at the 71th 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 Mariposa County a safe place to live?
Mariposa County's composite risk score of 86th 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 99th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Plumas County

California

-0.0

Relatively Moderate

86th percentile

Calaveras County

California

+0.2

Relatively Moderate

87th percentile

San Benito County

California

-1.2

Relatively Moderate

85th 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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