Curry County Disaster Risk
Curry County, Oregon
FEMA Risk Rating
Relatively Moderate
National Percentile
87th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#13
of 36 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
62th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 62% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Moderate
Higher than 93% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Very Low
Higher than 3% 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 Curry County, Oregon
Curry County: Moderate-High Risk
Curry County scores 86.55 on the composite risk scale, earning a "Relatively Moderate" rating and exceeding Oregon's 63.43 state average by 23 points. This southernmost coastal county faces significant multi-hazard exposure despite its small population.
Upper-Tier Risk Among Oregon
Curry County ranks in Oregon's higher-risk counties by composite score, placing it well above the statewide median. Only the most exposed coastal and metropolitan counties exceed Curry's overall disaster risk.
Comparable to Southern Peers
Curry County's 86.55 score is lower than Coos County (91.89) to the north but notably higher than inland Josephine and Jackson counties. Its position on Oregon's remote southern coast creates distinct hazard exposure compared to northern coastal counties.
Wildfires and Earthquakes Dominate
Wildfire risk peaks at 93.42, driven by Oregon's dry climate and wildland-urban interface expansion, making it the county's most persistent threat. Earthquake risk is nearly as concerning at 96.66, reflecting Cascadia Subduction Zone proximity, while flood risk (62.18) remains significant for coastal and river communities.
Wildfire and Earthquake Coverage Critical
Homeowners insurance must include wildfire coverage; review your policy's deductibles and replacement cost limits, especially if you live in the wildland-urban interface. Add earthquake insurance to protect against the county's substantial seismic exposure, and maintain 100 feet of defensible space around structures.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Curry County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Curry County
Risk Verdict
Curry County's overall risk score at the 87th percentile nationally signals meaningful exposure to multiple natural hazard types. Comprehensive household preparedness — including reviewing insurance, maintaining emergency supplies, and knowing evacuation routes — is strongly recommended.
Hazard Breakdown
Earthquake risk is Curry County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 97th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Wildfire ranks second at the 93th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (62th percentile), tornado (3th percentile).
Preparedness Context
Curry County ranks at the 97th percentile nationally for earthquake risk. Unlike most natural hazards, earthquakes provide no advance warning; preparedness here means structural adjustments and a practiced response, not alert monitoring. Wildfire at the 93th percentile nationally is a separate hazard dimension for Curry County that requires different protective strategies from earthquake preparedness. For earthquake preparedness, Curry County's county emergency management office often maintains a list of community water supply points, Red Cross shelter locations, and post-quake assistance programs — useful resources to identify before an event occurs.
Regional Context
Compared to other Oregon counties, Curry County runs 23.1 composite risk points higher than the state mean — reflecting above-average hazard concentration in this area.
Is your household prepared for Curry County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Curry County, OR?
What types of natural hazards affect Curry County?
How does Curry County risk compare to the Oregon average?
Is Curry County at risk for earthquake?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Why is Curry 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.