Plumas County Disaster Risk
Plumas County, California
FEMA Risk Rating
Relatively Moderate
National Percentile
86th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#44
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 High
Higher than 99% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Very Low
Higher than 10% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Moderate
Higher than 92% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Plumas County, California
Plumas: Above Average U.S. Risk Profile
Plumas County's composite risk score of 86.39 ranks it as relatively moderate and exceeds the national average. This remote northeastern Sierra county faces significant natural hazards typical of high-elevation, forested terrain.
Moderate-Risk Within California
Plumas scores 86.39—just below California's state average of 88.72—positioning it near the midpoint of state risk distribution. It represents a moderate profile compared to the state's highest-risk coastal and urban counties.
Similar Risk to Sierra Nevada Region
Plumas' score of 86.39 aligns with Modoc (39.69, much lower) and sits between Mono (46.50) and Nevada County (89.89) in the range. The Sierra region shows varied risk based on location and exposure.
Wildfire Risk Dominates the County
Plumas County's wildfire risk is exceptionally high at 98.63, driven by extensive forests and dry summers. Earthquake risk follows at 92.21, while flood and tornado risks remain in the moderate range.
Wildfire and Earthquake Insurance Essential
With wildfire risk at 98.63, Plumas homeowners should maintain comprehensive fire coverage and create defensible space around structures. Add earthquake insurance to protect against the county's second-highest hazard; standard policies exclude seismic damage.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Plumas County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Plumas County
Risk Verdict
With a composite score at the 86th percentile, Plumas County sits above the national median for natural hazard exposure. Proactive preparedness — not reactive response — is key to managing life in one of the country's higher-risk counties; Plumas County residents should plan accordingly.
Hazard Breakdown
Wildfire risk is Plumas County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 99th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 92th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (88th percentile), tornado (10th percentile).
Preparedness Context
At the 99th percentile nationally for wildfire risk, Plumas 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. Alongside wildfire, earthquake at the 92th percentile nationally means a multi-season preparedness mindset — fire season and flood or storm season often require different household plans. 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 Plumas County residents.
Regional Context
Plumas County tracks the California county average closely, sitting 2.3 composite points below the state mean — neither a standout high-risk nor low-risk county within California.
Is your household prepared for Plumas County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Plumas County, CA?
What types of natural hazards affect Plumas County?
How does Plumas County risk compare to the California average?
Is Plumas County at risk for wildfire?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Is Plumas County a safe place to live?
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.