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

Mono County Disaster Risk

Mono County, California

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

47th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#55

of 58 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

47th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 47% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Moderate

Higher than 91% 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 89% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Mono County, California

Mono: Below Average U.S. Risk Profile

Mono County's composite risk score of 46.50 earns a relatively low rating and sits well below the national average. This high-elevation, sparsely populated county experiences fewer disaster impacts than most American regions.

Low Risk Within High-Risk California

Mono's score of 46.50 is substantially lower than California's state average of 88.72, ranking it among the state's safer counties. Its eastern Sierra location puts it outside California's primary earthquake and flood zones.

Safer Than Mountain Region Peers

Mono ranks lower than Plumas County (86.39) and significantly below the coastal and central valley counties surrounding the Sierra. Its remote location and lower population density contribute to reduced overall exposure.

Earthquake Risk Rises With Elevation

Earthquake risk is Mono's highest hazard at 88.99, reflecting its proximity to the Sierra Nevada fault systems and volcanic zones. Wildfire risk also scores high at 91.16, driven by extensive forests and dry conditions.

Earthquake Coverage Is Essential Here

Homeowners in Mono should prioritize earthquake insurance given the county's 88.99 seismic risk score. Bundle wildfire coverage as well, since high-elevation forests increase exposure to large fires.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Mono County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    91th percentile
  2. #2
    EarthquakePrepare
    89th percentile
  3. #3
    FloodPrepare
    47th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Mono County

Risk Verdict

Natural hazard pressure in Mono County is below the national midpoint, with a composite score at the 47th percentile. The 47th percentile national ranking is one lens; Mono County residents also benefit from reviewing which specific hazard types drive the county's composite score and preparing accordingly.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is Mono County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 91th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 89th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (47th percentile), tornado (3th percentile).

Preparedness Context

With wildfire ranked at the 91th percentile nationally, Mono County is in a zone where air quality can deteriorate rapidly before structures are threatened. An N95 respirator and a HEPA air purifier are practical items for Mono County households to have on hand before fire season. Alongside wildfire, earthquake at the 89th percentile nationally means a multi-season preparedness mindset — fire season and flood or storm season often require different household plans. Defensible space, insurance review, and an evacuation plan are the three preparedness pillars for Mono County households — and the insurance review is the one most often deferred by Mono County residents and most costly to skip when a fire event actually occurs.

Regional Context

Mono County's composite risk score sits 42.2 points below the California county average, reflecting a more favorable hazard environment than the state typical.

Is your household prepared for Mono 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 Mono County, CA?
Mono County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 47th 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 Mono County?
Mono County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (91th percentile), earthquake (89th percentile), flooding (47th percentile), tornado (3th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 91th 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 Mono County risk compare to the California average?
Mono County's composite risk percentile is 47th, compared to the California state average of 89th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Moderate. This means Mono County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in California.
Is Mono County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Mono County's wildfire risk is at the 91th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Mono County is at the 47th 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 Mono County a safe place to live?
Mono County's composite risk score of 47th 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 91th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Modoc County

California

-6.8

Very Low

40th percentile

Sierra County

California

-15.0

Very Low

32th percentile

Lassen County

California

+26.6

Relatively Low

73th 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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