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

Sherman County Disaster Risk

Sherman County, Oregon

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

3th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#35

of 36 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

5th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 5% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Moderate

Higher than 90% 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 34% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Sherman County, Oregon

Sherman County ranks among safest nationally

Sherman County's composite risk score of just 2.89 and Very Low rating place it among the safest counties in the United States. The sparse, arid landscape and minimal development mean most residents face minimal multi-hazard exposure.

Oregon's safest county overall

At 2.89, Sherman County's composite score is less than one-twentieth of Oregon's 63.43 state average, making it the state's lowest-risk county. Few Oregon residents enjoy comparable safety across all hazard types.

Dramatically safer than nearby counties

Sherman County's score of 2.89 stands far below Gilliam (higher), Wheeler, and Morrow counties' composite risks. The county's remote, sparsely populated character and dry climate minimize exposure to most disasters.

Wildfire is Sherman's lone significant hazard

Wildfire risk scores 90.20—substantially higher than other Sherman County hazards—reflecting the dry grassland and ranching landscape. Flood (4.58), tornado (1.46), and earthquake (33.62) risks all remain negligible.

Wildfire insurance your primary protection

Sherman County homeowners should ensure wildfire coverage, as standard policies often exclude it; a separate rider typically costs 10–20% of home value. Given the county's exceptional overall safety, basic coverage may suffice for other hazards.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Sherman County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    90th percentile
  2. #2
    EarthquakePrepare
    34th percentile
  3. #3
    FloodPrepare
    5th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Sherman County

Risk Verdict

Sherman County's natural disaster risk is among the lowest in the country, with a composite score at the 3th percentile nationally. A preparedness foundation — alert registration, household communication plan, and a basic supply review — costs little and remains valuable even at Sherman County's favorable 3th percentile ranking.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is Sherman County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 90th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 34th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (5th percentile), tornado (1th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Wildfire is Sherman County's top-ranked natural hazard at the 90th percentile nationally. Sherman County residents should assess whether their property lies within or adjacent to a Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) zone, where ember transport and rapid spread pose the highest risk. Alongside wildfire, earthquake at the 34th percentile nationally means a multi-season preparedness mindset — fire season and flood or storm season often require different household plans. For Sherman County households, a practiced evacuation plan — with a primary and backup route designated before a fire occurs — provides more protection than any structural improvement when a wildfire approaches fast-moving terrain.

Regional Context

The Oregon county average exceeds Sherman County's score by 60.5 composite points — placing this county in the lower-risk tier relative to its in-state peers.

Is your household prepared for Sherman 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 Sherman County, OR?
Sherman County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 3th 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 Sherman County?
Sherman County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (90th percentile), earthquake (34th percentile), flooding (5th percentile), tornado (1th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 90th 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 Sherman County risk compare to the Oregon average?
Sherman County's composite risk percentile is 3th, compared to the Oregon state average of 63th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Sherman County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Oregon.
Is Sherman County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Sherman County's wildfire risk is at the 90th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Sherman County is at the 5th 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 Sherman County a safe place to live?
Sherman County's composite risk score of 3th 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 90th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Gilliam County

Oregon

-0.2

Very Low

3th percentile

Wheeler County

Oregon

+4.3

Very Low

7th percentile

Lake County

Oregon

+16.2

Very Low

19th 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.

Explore more data for Sherman County

Property TaxCost of LivingCrime RateIncomeHealthSchoolsWater QualityWeatherCounty Score