Sacramento County Disaster Risk
Sacramento County, California
FEMA Risk Rating
Relatively High
National Percentile
98th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#18
of 58 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
99th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Relatively High
Higher than 99% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Relatively High
Higher than 96% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 65% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Relatively High
Higher than 99% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Sacramento County, California
Sacramento faces above-average national disaster risk
Sacramento County's composite risk score of 98.12 places it in the "Relatively High" category, well above the typical U.S. county baseline. This score exceeds California's average of 88.72, signaling serious multi-hazard exposure across the state capital region.
Fourth-riskiest county in California
Sacramento ranks among California's top five most disaster-prone counties, with particularly acute threats from earthquakes (98.86), floods (98.98), and wildfires (95.93). The Central Valley location compounds flood risk from seasonal storms and Delta overflow.
Higher risk than most inland Central Valley peers
Sacramento's 98.12 score exceeds San Joaquin County (98.60)—wait, that's slightly lower—and significantly outpaces San Benito (85.24). The capital's proximity to the San Andreas Fault and flood-prone Delta waterways create overlapping hazard zones.
Earthquakes and floods pose dual threat
Sacramento's earthquake risk (98.86) and flood risk (98.98) are among the state's highest, reflecting the county's location on the Delta and near major fault lines. Wildfire risk (95.93) is also substantial, with smoke and occasional structure losses affecting the region.
Don't skip earthquake and flood insurance
Sacramento homeowners need both earthquake insurance and flood coverage—standard policies cover neither. If you're in a flood zone or near levees, flood insurance is critical; for all Sacramento residents, earthquake coverage protects against the area's seismic vulnerability.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Sacramento County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Sacramento County
Risk Verdict
With a national rank of 98th percentile, Sacramento 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 Sacramento County.
Hazard Breakdown
Flood risk is Sacramento County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 99th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 99th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include wildfire (96th percentile), tornado (65th percentile).
Preparedness Context
Sacramento County's dominant hazard is flooding, ranked at the 99th percentile nationally. In addition to flood insurance, residents should identify their nearest evacuation shelter and store key documents in waterproof containers. The county's second-ranked hazard, earthquake at the 99th percentile nationally, means Sacramento County residents face compounding risks from multiple natural hazard types during peak seasons. Sacramento County's county emergency management office publishes hazard-specific guidance tailored to local conditions; bookmarking that resource and the county's alert system is a practical first step for any household.
Regional Context
Sacramento County falls 9.4 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 Sacramento County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Sacramento County, CA?
What types of natural hazards affect Sacramento County?
How does Sacramento County risk compare to the California average?
Is Sacramento County at risk for flooding?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Why is Sacramento County higher risk than average?
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.