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

Benton County Disaster Risk

Benton County, Oregon

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Moderate

National Percentile

84th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#15

of 36 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

75th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 75% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 37% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 13% 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 Benton County, Oregon

Benton County: Moderate National Risk

Benton County scores 84.35 on the composite risk scale, earning a "Relatively Moderate" rating and exceeding Oregon's 63.43 state average by over 20 points. This places the county in the higher-risk band nationally, driven primarily by earthquake vulnerability.

Mid-Tier Risk Among Oregon Counties

Benton County ranks in the middle range of Oregon's 36 counties by overall disaster risk. While not the most hazardous county statewide, its composite score places it above average for the state.

Moderate Risk in Willamette Valley

Benton County's 84.35 score sits between neighboring Marion County's higher risk and Columbia County's lower risk, reflecting typical Willamette Valley exposure. Nearby Washington County and Yamhill County face similar multi-hazard profiles.

Earthquakes and Floods Dominate

Earthquake risk is exceptionally high at 97.23—among the state's highest—while flood risk of 74.81 reflects the county's position in Oregon's primary river valleys. Wildfire (37.05) and tornado (12.66) risks are comparatively lower, though not negligible.

Earthquake and Flood Coverage Essential

Standard homeowners policies exclude earthquake damage; Benton County residents should purchase separate earthquake insurance to protect against the county's significant seismic threat. Flood insurance is equally critical if your home sits in a designated flood zone or near the Willamette River.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Benton County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    EarthquakePrepare
    97th percentile
  2. #2
    FloodPrepare
    75th percentile
  3. #3
    WildfirePrepare
    37th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Benton County

Risk Verdict

At the 84th percentile nationally, Benton County sits in the upper half of U.S. counties for natural disaster exposure. At this risk level, having a documented household preparedness plan — not just awareness — is the meaningful next step for Benton County residents.

Hazard Breakdown

Earthquake risk is Benton County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 97th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Flood ranks second at the 75th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include wildfire (37th percentile), tornado (13th percentile).

Preparedness Context

With earthquake ranked as the top hazard at the 97th percentile nationally, Benton County residents benefit from reviewing homeowners insurance: standard policies rarely cover earthquake damage, and separate earthquake insurance must be purchased before an event. Flood at the 75th percentile nationally is a separate hazard dimension for Benton County that requires different protective strategies from earthquake preparedness. Earthquake insurance in Benton County is typically offered as a separate policy — standard homeowners coverage excludes ground movement. Reviewing this gap and comparing policy options before an event is a financial preparedness step with potentially large consequences.

Regional Context

The Oregon county average is 20.9 composite points below Benton County's score, a gap that reflects the county's elevated position in the state's hazard distribution.

Is your household prepared for Benton 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 Benton County, OR?
Benton County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Moderate, placing it in the 84th 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 Benton County?
Benton County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: earthquake (97th percentile), flooding (75th percentile), wildfire (37th percentile), tornado (13th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is earthquake at the 97th 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 Benton County risk compare to the Oregon average?
Benton County's composite risk percentile is 84th, compared to the Oregon state average of 63th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Benton County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Oregon.
Is Benton County at risk for earthquake?
Yes, Benton County's earthquake risk is at the 97th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Benton County is at the 75th 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.
Why is Benton County higher risk than average?
Benton County's composite risk score of 84th percentile is above the Oregon state average of 63th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by earthquake exposure (97th percentile), along with flooding risk. Geographic location, terrain, climate patterns, and proximity to flood zones or fault lines all influence a county's risk profile.

Counties with Similar Risk

Deschutes County

Oregon

+0.6

Relatively Moderate

85th percentile

Yamhill County

Oregon

-1.5

Relatively Moderate

83th percentile

Umatilla County

Oregon

-2.1

Relatively Moderate

82th 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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