Tehama County Disaster Risk
Tehama County, California
FEMA Risk Rating
Relatively Moderate
National Percentile
89th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#41
of 58 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
90th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Moderate
Higher than 90% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Relatively High
Higher than 98% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Very Low
Higher than 13% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Moderate
Higher than 94% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Tehama County, California
Tehama's composite risk mirrors national average
Tehama County's score of 88.90 sits nearly at parity with the national average, earning a Relatively Moderate rating. The county faces serious multi-hazard exposure warranting careful preparation.
Slightly above California's state average
Tehama's 88.90 score edges above California's 88.72 state average, placing it in the upper-middle tier of state risk rankings. The county's wildfire risk at 98.47 significantly influences this positioning.
More at-risk than Trinity, less than Stanislaus
Tehama (88.90) ranks between nearby Trinity County (79.45) to the west and Stanislaus (96.88) to the south. The county shares regional wildfire vulnerability with Trinity but faces higher overall exposure.
Wildfires and floods drive your hazards
Wildfire risk at 98.47 and flood risk at 90.04 represent Tehama's dominant threats, with earthquake risk (94.27) adding a third major exposure. The county's northern location and river systems create compounded fire-flood dynamics.
Wildfire insurance is non-negotiable
Wildfire coverage is essential—standard policies may exclude fire from non-standard ignition sources in wildland zones. Also secure earthquake and flood insurance; Tehama's position requires triple coverage to be fully protected.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Tehama County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Tehama County
Risk Verdict
Natural hazard risk in Tehama County is higher than the majority of U.S. counties, with a national composite rank of 89th. Tehama 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 Tehama County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 98th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 94th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (90th percentile), tornado (13th percentile).
Preparedness Context
At the 98th percentile nationally for wildfire, Tehama 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. The county's earthquake exposure at the 94th percentile nationally complements the wildfire risk — saturating rain after burn scarring often triggers secondary flood and debris flow events. 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 Tehama County residents can use to stay ahead of rapidly changing wildfire conditions.
Regional Context
Tehama County's composite risk score is within 0.2 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 Tehama County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Tehama County, CA?
What types of natural hazards affect Tehama County?
How does Tehama County risk compare to the California average?
Is Tehama County at risk for wildfire?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Why is Tehama 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.