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

Tillamook County Disaster Risk

Tillamook County, Oregon

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Moderate

National Percentile

81th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#18

of 36 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

76th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 76% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 44% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 11% 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 Tillamook County, Oregon

Tillamook faces moderate-to-high national risk

Tillamook County's composite risk score of 81.33 and Relatively Moderate rating exceed the U.S. average considerably. The coastal location and seismic setting combine to produce above-average hazard exposure.

Tillamook ranks among Oregon's higher-risk counties

At 81.33, Tillamook County's composite score markedly exceeds Oregon's 63.43 state average, placing it in the state's upper tier. The county faces above-average flood, earthquake, and wildfire exposure.

Riskier than neighboring coastal counties

Tillamook's score of 81.33 surpasses adjacent Clatsop and Yamhill counties' composite risks. The combination of coastal geography, winter precipitation, and seismic hazard creates particularly elevated exposure in Tillamook.

Floods and earthquakes dominate Tillamook

Flood risk reaches 76.34, driven by Pacific winter storms, coastal drainage, and rainfall; earthquake risk scores 95.45 due to Cascadia Subduction Zone proximity. Wildfire (43.58) poses a secondary but growing concern.

Flood and earthquake coverage critical

Tillamook residents should prioritize flood insurance—essential for anyone near coastal or lowland areas—and obtain earthquake riders on homeowners policies. Neither is typically included in standard coverage; combined, they add 15–25% to your policy cost but provide vital protection.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Tillamook County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    EarthquakePrepare
    95th percentile
  2. #2
    FloodPrepare
    76th percentile
  3. #3
    WildfirePrepare
    44th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Tillamook County

Risk Verdict

Tillamook County's overall risk score at the 81th percentile nationally signals meaningful exposure to multiple natural hazard types. Comprehensive household preparedness — including reviewing insurance, maintaining emergency supplies, and knowing evacuation routes — is strongly recommended.

Hazard Breakdown

Earthquake risk is Tillamook County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 95th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Flood ranks second at the 76th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include wildfire (44th percentile), tornado (11th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Tillamook County ranks at the 95th percentile nationally for earthquake risk. Unlike most natural hazards, earthquakes provide no advance warning; preparedness here means structural adjustments and a practiced response, not alert monitoring. Flood at the 76th percentile nationally is a separate hazard dimension for Tillamook County that requires different protective strategies from earthquake preparedness. For earthquake preparedness, Tillamook County's county emergency management office often maintains a list of community water supply points, Red Cross shelter locations, and post-quake assistance programs — useful resources to identify before an event occurs.

Regional Context

Compared to other Oregon counties, Tillamook County runs 17.9 composite risk points higher than the state mean — reflecting above-average hazard concentration in this area.

Is your household prepared for Tillamook 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 Tillamook County, OR?
Tillamook County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Moderate, placing it in the 81th 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 Tillamook County?
Tillamook County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: earthquake (95th percentile), flooding (76th percentile), wildfire (44th percentile), tornado (11th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is earthquake at the 95th 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 Tillamook County risk compare to the Oregon average?
Tillamook County's composite risk percentile is 81th, compared to the Oregon state average of 63th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Tillamook County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Oregon.
Is Tillamook County at risk for earthquake?
Yes, Tillamook County's earthquake risk is at the 95th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Tillamook County is at the 76th 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.
Why is Tillamook County higher risk than average?
Tillamook County's composite risk score of 81th percentile is above the Oregon state average of 63th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by earthquake exposure (95th percentile), along with flooding risk. Geographic location, terrain, climate patterns, and proximity to flood zones or fault lines all influence a county's risk profile.
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.