Siskiyou County Disaster Risk
Siskiyou County, California
FEMA Risk Rating
Relatively Moderate
National Percentile
89th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#40
of 58 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
91th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Moderate
Higher than 91% 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 2% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Moderate
Higher than 88% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Siskiyou County, California
Siskiyou faces moderate disaster risk
Siskiyou County scores 89.03 on composite risk, earning a 'Relatively Moderate' rating and hovering just above the national average. The county's risk profile reflects significant wildfire exposure combined with moderate flood and earthquake hazards.
Slightly above California's average risk
Siskiyou's 89.03 score marginally exceeds California's 88.72 average, positioning it near the state median. The county's northern location and mixed landscape create a more balanced hazard profile than coastal counties to the south.
Safer than most northern California peers
Siskiyou (89.03) faces lower overall risk than Shasta County (93.38) but significantly higher risk than nearby Sierra County (31.52). The county's position in the state's fire-prone north drives substantial wildfire exposure despite moderate overall vulnerability.
Wildfire dominates Siskiyou's hazard profile
Siskiyou's wildfire risk reaches 98.60—among California's highest—reflecting extensive forest lands and seasonal fire season severity. Flood risk (90.94) and earthquake risk (88.20) are moderate but significant, with flooding particularly affecting valley floor communities.
Wildfire and flood coverage recommended
Siskiyou residents should prioritize wildfire insurance, given the 98.60 risk score and the county's fire-prone geography. Flood insurance is also recommended for properties near the Klamath River and other flood-prone waterways.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Siskiyou County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Siskiyou County
Risk Verdict
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Siskiyou County at the 89th percentile nationally — above average and worth proactive preparation. Residents should prioritize a formal household emergency plan, including evacuation routes, insurance review, and a well-stocked emergency kit.
Hazard Breakdown
Wildfire risk is Siskiyou County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 99th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Flood ranks second at the 91th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (88th percentile), tornado (2th percentile).
Preparedness Context
With wildfire ranked at the 99th percentile nationally, Siskiyou 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 Siskiyou County households to have on hand before fire season. Alongside wildfire, flood at the 91th 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 Siskiyou County households — and the insurance review is the one most often deferred by Siskiyou County residents and most costly to skip when a fire event actually occurs.
Regional Context
Siskiyou County's risk score is broadly comparable to the California county average, with a 0.3-point gap that places the county near the center of the state's hazard distribution.
Is your household prepared for Siskiyou County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Siskiyou County, CA?
What types of natural hazards affect Siskiyou County?
How does Siskiyou County risk compare to the California average?
Is Siskiyou County at risk for wildfire?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Why is Siskiyou 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.