Gilliam County Disaster Risk
Gilliam County, Oregon
FEMA Risk Rating
Very Low
National Percentile
3th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#36
of 36 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
7th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Very Low
Higher than 7% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Moderate
Higher than 88% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Very Low
Higher than 1% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Very Low
Higher than 28% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Gilliam County, Oregon
Gilliam: Exceptionally Safe by National Standards
Gilliam County's composite risk score of 2.74 places it among America's safest counties, far below the national average. Despite Oregon's overall higher hazard exposure, Gilliam stands as one of the state's lowest-risk communities. This very low rating reflects minimal flood, tornado, and earthquake threats.
Oregon's Safest County by Far
Gilliam's 2.74 score sits well below Oregon's state average of 63.43, making it the state's least hazardous county. Earthquake risk of 27.89, flood risk of 6.97, and tornado risk of 1.37 all remain minimal. While wildfire poses some concern at 88.30, the overall risk profile remains remarkably low.
The Low-Risk Anchor of Eastern Oregon
Gilliam's minimal exposure contrasts sharply with even its closest neighbors—Grant County (32.12) and Jefferson County (29.87) both carry ten times higher composite risk. Hood River County (32.06) similarly faces elevated exposure compared to Gilliam's exceptional safety. The county occupies a unique position of very low disaster vulnerability in Oregon's generally hazard-prone eastern region.
Wildfire: Gilliam's Only Significant Concern
Wildfire represents the sole substantial hazard facing Gilliam County at 88.30, though this remains manageable with standard fire prevention. All other major natural disasters—floods, earthquakes, and tornadoes—score below 28, creating minimal exposure. The county's semi-arid landscape and minimal seismic activity provide exceptional safety advantages.
Standard Coverage Typically Sufficient
Gilliam residents can rely on standard homeowners insurance without the specialized earthquake or flood coverage required elsewhere. Focus on wildfire preparedness through defensible space maintenance and vegetation management around structures. A basic insurance review every few years should suffice given the county's very low overall disaster risk.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Gilliam County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Gilliam County
Risk Verdict
Gilliam County sits in the lower tier of U.S. counties for natural disaster exposure, ranked at the 3th percentile nationally. Gilliam County residents can take confidence from a 3th percentile ranking, but even lower-risk counties benefit from a practiced household communication plan and awareness of the specific hazards listed above.
Hazard Breakdown
Wildfire risk is Gilliam County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 88th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 28th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (7th percentile), tornado (1th percentile).
Preparedness Context
At the 88th percentile nationally for wildfire risk, Gilliam County households benefit from creating defensible space — a buffer of reduced vegetation around structures — and reviewing whether homeowners insurance covers wildfire damage in this region. A secondary earthquake exposure at the 28th percentile nationally means Gilliam County residents face hazards from two distinct natural peril categories during different seasons. Enrolling in the county's wireless emergency alert system and keeping a vehicle at least half-full during peak fire season are low-cost habits that dramatically reduce evacuation lag time for Gilliam County residents.
Regional Context
Gilliam County falls 60.7 points below Oregon's typical county risk level, making it one of the safer natural-hazard environments in the state.
Is your household prepared for Gilliam County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
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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.