Tulare County Disaster Risk
Tulare County, California
FEMA Risk Rating
Relatively High
National Percentile
97th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#20
of 58 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
98th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Relatively High
Higher than 98% 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 30% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Relatively High
Higher than 98% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Tulare County, California
Tulare ranks among highest national risks
Tulare County's composite risk score of 97.04 places it firmly in the Relatively High category nationally. This score reflects exposure to four major hazard types at dangerous levels.
Top tier of California's riskiest counties
Tulare's 97.04 score ranks it among California's five highest-risk counties, nearly 10 points above the state average of 88.72. The county's agricultural and mountain terrain concentrate multiple hazards.
Nearly tied with Stanislaus for regional worst
Tulare (97.04) nearly matches Stanislaus County (96.88) as the Central Valley's most at-risk county. Both counties face severe earthquake, flood, and wildfire exposure simultaneously.
Earthquakes, floods, wildfires all peak
Tulare faces near-maximum risk across earthquake (97.87), flood (98.12), and wildfire (97.96) hazards. Tornado risk at 30.34 also exceeds most California counties, creating a uniquely dangerous four-hazard profile.
Quadruple coverage protects your property
Standard homeowners insurance is insufficient; you need separate earthquake, flood, and wildfire policies immediately. Given Tulare's rare tornado exposure, confirm your agent discusses wind coverage and structural reinforcement.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Tulare County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Tulare County
Risk Verdict
FEMA's National Risk Index places Tulare County at the 97th percentile nationally — in the high-risk bracket for U.S. counties. Residents should prioritize a formal household emergency plan, including evacuation routes, insurance review, and a well-stocked emergency kit.
Hazard Breakdown
Flood risk is Tulare County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 98th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Wildfire ranks second at the 98th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (98th percentile), tornado (30th percentile).
Preparedness Context
Flood risk is Tulare County's top hazard at the 98th percentile nationally. Households in or near designated flood zones face elevated financial exposure; flood insurance typically requires a 30-day waiting period before it takes effect, so applying before the season is advisable. Secondary wildfire exposure at the 98th percentile adds a second preparedness layer; households should review coverage options and alert sign-up for both hazard types. Households across Tulare County should identify the nearest community shelter and keep a basic emergency kit — water, non-perishable food, medications, flashlight, and battery radio — in a location easy to grab quickly.
Regional Context
Tulare County is 8.3 composite risk points above the California average, indicating that residents face greater natural hazard exposure than most of their in-state neighbors.
Is your household prepared for Tulare County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Tulare County, CA?
What types of natural hazards affect Tulare County?
How does Tulare County risk compare to the California average?
Is Tulare County at risk for flooding?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Why is Tulare 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.