Shasta County Disaster Risk
Shasta County, California
FEMA Risk Rating
Relatively Moderate
National Percentile
93th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#33
of 58 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
95th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Relatively High
Higher than 95% 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 15% 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 Shasta County, California
Shasta faces moderate to high disaster risk
Shasta County scores 93.38 on composite risk, placing it above the national average with a 'Relatively Moderate' rating. The county's risk is concentrated in wildfire and flood hazards, rather than the seismic threats dominating coastal California.
Above average for California overall
Shasta's 93.38 score exceeds California's average of 88.72, reflecting significant exposure to fire and flood. However, the county ranks lower than most coastal counties due to moderate earthquake risk relative to the state's seismically active regions.
Slightly riskier than northern peers
Shasta (93.38) faces higher overall risk than Siskiyou County (89.03) but lower risk than more seismically active regions to the south. The county's wildfire risk (99.49) is among the state's highest, reflecting its position in California's fire-prone north.
Wildfire and flood are primary threats
Shasta's wildfire risk reaches 99.49—among California's highest—while flood risk scores 94.85, affecting both forest and valley communities. Earthquake risk (96.53) is moderate but significant, particularly near active fault zones in the county's eastern areas.
Wildfire and flood insurance top priority
Shasta residents should secure wildfire insurance immediately, given the county's 99.49 risk score and history of large fires. Flood insurance is equally important, particularly for properties near the Sacramento River, creeks, or designated flood zones.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Shasta County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Shasta County
Risk Verdict
Natural hazard risk in Shasta County is higher than the majority of U.S. counties, with a national composite rank of 93th. Shasta County's elevated composite score reflects cumulative multi-hazard exposure; households should prepare for the county's two or three primary hazard types.
Hazard Breakdown
Wildfire risk is Shasta 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 (95th percentile), tornado (15th percentile).
Preparedness Context
At the 99th percentile nationally for wildfire, Shasta County residents should verify whether their insurance policy includes replacement cost coverage for structures and whether the insurer still writes new policies in this fire-risk zone. A secondary earthquake exposure at the 97th percentile nationally means Shasta County residents face hazards from two distinct natural peril categories during different seasons. Local USFS or Cal Fire (where applicable) fire risk maps and seasonal Red Flag Warning alerts from the National Weather Service are two free resources Shasta County residents can use to stay ahead of rapidly changing wildfire conditions.
Regional Context
Shasta County's composite risk score is within 4.7 points of the California county average — a close alignment that reflects a broadly representative hazard environment for this part of the state.
Is your household prepared for Shasta County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Shasta County, CA?
What types of natural hazards affect Shasta County?
How does Shasta County risk compare to the California average?
Is Shasta County at risk for wildfire?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Why is Shasta 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.