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

Harney County Disaster Risk

Harney County, Oregon

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

24th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#32

of 36 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

29th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 29% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively High

Higher than 96% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 2% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 32% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Harney County, Oregon

Harney: Very Low Overall Risk, Wildfire Exception

Harney County's composite score of 23.66 places it among America's safest counties, significantly below the national average. This very low rating masks one critical vulnerability: wildfire risk at 95.74, making it Oregon's most fire-prone county despite minimal other hazards. The paradox reflects Harney's unique semi-arid landscape and fire ecology.

Safe Overall, But Oregon's Wildfire Hotspot

Harney's 23.66 composite score sits far below Oregon's state average of 63.43, ranking it among the state's lowest-risk counties. Yet its 95.74 wildfire score represents the state's highest fire risk, creating a striking contrast. Earthquake (31.55), flood (28.53), and tornado (2.48) risks all remain minimal.

Safest County, Yet Most Fire-Vulnerable

Harney's overall risk profile resembles neighbors Grant (32.12) and Jefferson (29.87), but its 95.74 wildfire rating exceeds all surrounding counties. While earthquake and flood exposure trails neighboring counties, fire risk matches or exceeds even high-hazard communities like Deschutes and Jackson. The county represents an extreme case of single-hazard concentration.

Wildfire Dominates Harney's Disaster Profile

Wildfire risk at 95.74 stands as Harney's single significant hazard, creating the state's highest fire vulnerability despite minimal other exposures. Flood risk of 28.53 presents a distant secondary concern, while earthquake (31.55) and tornado (2.48) risks remain negligible. The high desert ecosystem's natural fire susceptibility drives this exceptional concentration.

Wildfire Coverage Non-Negotiable for Harney

Harney residents must ensure explicit wildfire coverage in homeowners policies, as this is the county's dominant risk by far. Create and maintain aggressive defensible space around all structures, clearing vegetation and dead wood within 100 feet. Earthquake and flood insurance remain optional given the county's very low exposure to these hazards.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Harney County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    96th percentile
  2. #2
    EarthquakePrepare
    32th percentile
  3. #3
    FloodPrepare
    29th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Harney County

Risk Verdict

Harney County carries a low natural disaster risk burden, scoring at the 24th percentile under the FEMA National Risk Index. A 24th percentile score positions Harney County among the nation's lower-risk counties, a genuinely favorable outcome — one that simple, low-cost preparedness habits can reinforce further.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is Harney County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 96th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 32th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (29th percentile), tornado (2th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Wildfire ranks as Harney County's primary hazard at the 96th percentile nationally. For Harney 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. Alongside wildfire, earthquake at the 32th percentile nationally means a multi-season preparedness mindset — fire season and flood or storm season often require different household plans. Harney 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

Compared to the Oregon county average, Harney County's composite score runs 39.8 points lower — a gap that reflects the county's relatively modest hazard profile within its state context.

Is your household prepared for Harney 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 Harney County, OR?
Harney County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 24th 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 Harney County?
Harney County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (96th percentile), earthquake (32th percentile), flooding (29th percentile), tornado (2th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 96th 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 Harney County risk compare to the Oregon average?
Harney County's composite risk percentile is 24th, compared to the Oregon state average of 63th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Harney County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Oregon.
Is Harney County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Harney County's wildfire risk is at the 96th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Harney County is at the 29th 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 Harney County a safe place to live?
Harney County's composite risk score of 24th percentile is below the Oregon state average of 63th percentile, indicating relatively lower exposure to natural hazards. However, no county is completely risk-free. The primary hazard type is wildfire at the 96th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Morrow County

Oregon

+2.7

Very Low

26th percentile

Lake County

Oregon

-4.6

Very Low

19th percentile

Jefferson County

Oregon

+6.2

Very Low

30th 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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