Josephine County Disaster Risk
Josephine County, Oregon
FEMA Risk Rating
Relatively Moderate
National Percentile
90th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#10
of 36 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
90th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Moderate
Higher than 90% 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 5% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Relatively High
Higher than 95% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Josephine County, Oregon
Josephine ranks above average nationally
With a composite risk score of 90.24, Josephine County faces above-average natural disaster risk compared to U.S. counties overall. The county earns a Relatively Moderate rating, driven by significant earthquake and wildfire exposure. This places Josephine in the riskier half of American counties, requiring serious hazard preparedness.
Oregon's fourth most at-risk county
Josephine's 90.24 score ranks it fourth among Oregon's 36 counties—well above the state average of 63.43. Only Lane, Marion, and one other county face higher composite risk in Oregon. This elevated standing reflects Josephine's location in a seismically active and fire-prone region.
Far riskier than southern Oregon peers
Josephine (90.24) dwarfs nearby Klamath County (77.93) and Lake County (19.08) on composite risk. Josephine's wildfire risk of 99.24 is among the state's highest, while neighboring counties show dramatically lower overall exposure. This difference underscores Josephine's unique vulnerability to cascading disaster scenarios.
Wildfire and earthquakes dominate here
Josephine faces an extreme wildfire risk of 99.24—among Oregon's most dangerous—alongside a critical earthquake risk of 95.20. The county's 90.20 flood risk rounds out a trio of serious hazards. Together, these three threats create compounding vulnerabilities that demand tailored emergency planning and home hardening.
Prioritize earthquake and wildfire insurance
Homeowners in Josephine must secure comprehensive earthquake insurance alongside standard homeowners coverage, given the 95.20 earthquake risk. Wildfire coverage gaps are common in high-risk zones; verify your policy covers wildfire damage and consider additional riders. Working with a local agent familiar with Josephine's specific hazards ensures you're not underinsured.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Josephine County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Josephine County
Risk Verdict
Natural hazard risk in Josephine County is higher than the majority of U.S. counties, with a national composite rank of 90th. Josephine County's elevated composite score reflects cumulative multi-hazard exposure; households should prepare for the county's two or three primary hazard types.
Hazard Breakdown
Wildfire risk is Josephine County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 99th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 95th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (90th percentile), tornado (5th percentile).
Preparedness Context
At the 99th percentile nationally for wildfire, Josephine County residents should verify whether their insurance policy includes replacement cost coverage for structures and whether the insurer still writes new policies in this fire-risk zone. A secondary earthquake exposure at the 95th percentile nationally means Josephine County residents face hazards from two distinct natural peril categories during different seasons. Local USFS or Cal Fire (where applicable) fire risk maps and seasonal Red Flag Warning alerts from the National Weather Service are two free resources Josephine County residents can use to stay ahead of rapidly changing wildfire conditions.
Regional Context
A composite score 26.8 points above the Oregon state average puts Josephine County in a higher-risk category than most counties in the state.
Is your household prepared for Josephine County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Josephine County, OR?
What types of natural hazards affect Josephine County?
How does Josephine County risk compare to the Oregon average?
Is Josephine County at risk for wildfire?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Why is Josephine 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.