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

Malheur County Disaster Risk

Malheur County, Oregon

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

35th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#25

of 36 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

52th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 52% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Moderate

Higher than 91% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 9% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 72% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Malheur County, Oregon

Malheur sits below national risk average

Malheur County's composite risk score of 34.76 places it well below the national average for natural disaster exposure. The Very Low risk rating makes Malheur one of America's safer counties overall. However, wildfire risk of 91.44 deserves serious attention despite the county's favorable low-hazard profile.

Oregon's second-safest county

At 34.76, Malheur ranks second-lowest among Oregon's 36 counties—significantly below the state average of 63.43. Only Lake County (19.08) shows lower composite risk in Oregon. Malheur's remote southeastern location and sparse development explain much of this favorable standing.

Safer than most of eastern Oregon

Malheur (34.76) sits between Lake County's very low 19.08 and Klamath's moderate 77.93. Malheur's wildfire risk of 91.44 is high, but other hazard exposures remain minimal compared to western Oregon counties. This creates an unusual profile: low overall risk with one significant wildfire vulnerability.

Wildfire dominates Malheur's hazards

Malheur County's wildfire risk of 91.44 is the overwhelming concern, while flood (52.00), earthquake (71.56), and tornado (8.78) risks remain low. The county's arid high-desert climate creates extended fire seasons and rapid spread potential. This single vulnerability dominates Malheur's disaster preparedness calculus.

Prioritize wildfire protection measures

Malheur homeowners should focus preparedness on wildfire mitigation—maintaining defensible space and using fire-resistant materials is more critical than additional insurance riders. Standard homeowners coverage typically addresses wildfire exposure, but review your policy for any local exclusions. Given the county's low overall risk, earthquake and flood insurance are optional unless you have specific property vulnerabilities.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Malheur County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    91th percentile
  2. #2
    EarthquakePrepare
    72th percentile
  3. #3
    FloodPrepare
    52th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Malheur County

Risk Verdict

Compared to the nation's 3,144 counties, Malheur County ranks at the 35th percentile for natural disaster risk — toward the safer end of the spectrum. A 35th percentile score positions Malheur 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 Malheur County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 91th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 72th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (52th percentile), tornado (9th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Malheur County sits at the 91th percentile for wildfire exposure. Signing up for Malheur County's county emergency alert system and knowing the pre-planned evacuation route before conditions deteriorate are the two highest-value preparedness actions for residents here. A secondary earthquake exposure at the 72th percentile nationally means Malheur County residents face hazards from two distinct natural peril categories during different seasons. In Malheur County, wildfire smoke often precedes the flame front by hours or days; households benefit from tracking EPA's AirNow.gov and having HEPA air filtration available as a first line of indoor protection when air quality alerts are issued.

Regional Context

At 28.7 points below the Oregon state average, Malheur County is among the lower-risk counties in the state for natural disaster exposure.

Is your household prepared for Malheur 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 Malheur County, OR?
Malheur County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 35th 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 Malheur County?
Malheur County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (91th percentile), earthquake (72th percentile), flooding (52th percentile), tornado (9th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 91th 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 Malheur County risk compare to the Oregon average?
Malheur County's composite risk percentile is 35th, compared to the Oregon state average of 63th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Malheur County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Oregon.
Is Malheur County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Malheur County's wildfire risk is at the 91th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Malheur County is at the 52th 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 Malheur County a safe place to live?
Malheur County's composite risk score of 35th 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 91th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Wallowa County

Oregon

-0.8

Very Low

34th percentile

Crook County

Oregon

-1.2

Very Low

34th percentile

Grant County

Oregon

-2.6

Very Low

32th 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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