riskbycounty
FEMA NRI 1.19.0Updated Nov 2023 · Coverage 2014–2023Methodology

Tuolumne County Disaster Risk

Tuolumne County, California

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Moderate

National Percentile

85th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#46

of 58 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

81th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Moderate

Higher than 81% 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 8% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 71% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Tuolumne County, California

Tuolumne carries moderate national risk

Tuolumne County's composite risk score of 85.21 earns a Relatively Moderate rating, slightly below the national average. Despite this classification, specific hazards in the county demand serious attention.

Below-average risk for California

Tuolumne's 85.21 score sits below California's 88.72 state average, positioning it in the safer half of state counties. However, wildfire risk at 99.33 represents an extreme local vulnerability.

Lower risk than Stanislaus and Tulare

Tuolumne (85.21) ranks substantially lower than Stanislaus (96.88) and Tulare (97.04) to the east. The county's Sierra foothill location reduces earthquake exposure compared to valley neighbors.

Wildfire is your extreme hazard

Wildfire risk at 99.33 places Tuolumne among California's most fire-vulnerable counties—a stark contrast to its moderate overall rating. Flood risk (81.04) presents a secondary concern in canyon areas and along major rivers.

Wildfire insurance is absolutely essential

Wildfire coverage must be your first priority—Tuolumne's score rivals the state's worst fire zones. Add earthquake insurance for seismic protection in the Sierra region, and confirm flood coverage for properties near waterways.

Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Tuolumne County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    99th percentile
  2. #2
    FloodPrepare
    81th percentile
  3. #3
    EarthquakePrepare
    71th percentile

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Tuolumne County

Risk Verdict

Tuolumne County registers a moderately elevated natural disaster risk, ranking at the 85th percentile across all U.S. counties. High composite risk signals that multiple hazard types are elevated simultaneously; planning for more than one scenario is important in Tuolumne County.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is Tuolumne County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 99th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Flood ranks second at the 81th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (71th percentile), tornado (8th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Wildfire ranks as Tuolumne County's primary hazard at the 99th percentile nationally. For Tuolumne County households in high-WUI areas, go-bag readiness — the ability to leave within 15 minutes — is more important than shelter-in-place planning for most residential properties. The county's flood exposure at the 81th percentile nationally complements the wildfire risk — saturating rain after burn scarring often triggers secondary flood and debris flow events. Tuolumne County county's local emergency management office publishes community-specific wildfire risk assessments and evacuation zone maps; households should review their zone assignment and sign up for zone-specific alerts.

Regional Context

At 3.5 points from the California county mean, Tuolumne County's overall disaster risk profile is close to typical for this state, with no dramatic deviation in either direction.

Is your household prepared for Tuolumne County's hazards?

Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.

FEMA Ready Guide →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the natural disaster risk in Tuolumne County, CA?
Tuolumne County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Moderate, placing it in the 85th percentile nationally out of 3,144 counties. This composite score reflects the county's overall exposure to natural hazards including floods, wildfires, tornadoes, earthquakes, and hurricanes, weighted by expected annual loss and social vulnerability.
What types of natural hazards affect Tuolumne County?
Tuolumne County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (99th percentile), flooding (81th percentile), earthquake (71th percentile), tornado (8th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 99th percentile nationally. These scores are derived from FEMA's National Risk Index, which analyzes expected annual loss, social vulnerability, and community resilience for each hazard type.
How does Tuolumne County risk compare to the California average?
Tuolumne County's composite risk percentile is 85th, compared to the California state average of 89th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Moderate. This means Tuolumne County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in California.
Is Tuolumne County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Tuolumne County's wildfire risk is at the 99th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Tuolumne County is at the 81th percentile.
How is natural disaster risk measured?
FEMA's National Risk Index (NRI) calculates risk scores for 18 natural hazard types across all U.S. counties and census tracts. The composite score combines Expected Annual Loss (estimated dollar losses from each hazard), Social Vulnerability (demographic factors affecting disaster impact), and Community Resilience (ability to recover). Percentile scores rank each county against all 3,144 U.S. counties, and risk ratings range from Very Low to Very High.
Is Tuolumne County a safe place to live?
Tuolumne County's composite risk score of 85th percentile is below the California state average of 89th percentile, indicating relatively lower exposure to natural hazards. However, no county is completely risk-free. The primary hazard type is wildfire at the 99th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

San Benito County

California

+0.0

Relatively Moderate

85th percentile

Plumas County

California

+1.2

Relatively Moderate

86th percentile

Mariposa County

California

+1.2

Relatively Moderate

86th percentile

By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

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.

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