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

Union County Disaster Risk

Union County, Oregon

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

44th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#24

of 36 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

37th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 37% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Moderate

Higher than 92% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 6% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 77% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Union County, Oregon

Union County's risk moderately above average

Union County's composite risk score of 43.54 and Relatively Low rating exceed the U.S. average, reflecting above-average wildfire and earthquake exposure. The county faces moderate multi-hazard risk concentrated in specific threat types.

Union County below Oregon's average risk

At 43.54, Union County's composite score falls below Oregon's 63.43 state average, placing it in the state's lower-middle tier. The county's mountainous terrain and lower population density contribute to below-average overall exposure.

Safer than most adjacent counties

Union County's score of 43.54 remains below nearby Wallowa (33.97), Umatilla (82.28), and Baker counties. The county benefits from lower density and distance from major river floodplains relative to regional counterparts.

Wildfires and earthquakes concern Union

Wildfire risk scores 91.89, reflecting Union's location in fire-prone eastern Oregon; earthquake risk reaches 76.72 due to regional seismic activity. Flood (37.47) and tornado (6.14) threats remain minimal.

Prioritize wildfire and quake coverage

Union County homeowners should secure wildfire insurance riders—standard policies typically exclude it—at 10–15% of home value. Adding an earthquake rider provides comprehensive protection for this county's two primary hazards.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Union County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    92th percentile
  2. #2
    EarthquakePrepare
    77th percentile
  3. #3
    FloodPrepare
    37th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Union County

Risk Verdict

Union County sits below the national average for natural disaster exposure, ranking at the 44th percentile across all U.S. counties. Union County residents can take confidence from a 44th percentile ranking, but even lower-risk counties benefit from a practiced household communication plan and awareness of the specific hazards listed above.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is Union County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 92th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 77th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (37th percentile), tornado (6th percentile).

Preparedness Context

At the 92th percentile nationally for wildfire, Union 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. Alongside wildfire, earthquake at the 77th percentile nationally means a multi-season preparedness mindset — fire season and flood or storm season often require different household plans. 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 Union County residents can use to stay ahead of rapidly changing wildfire conditions.

Regional Context

Union County is 19.9 composite risk points below the Oregon state mean, meaning most other Oregon counties face higher natural hazard exposure.

Is your household prepared for Union 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 Union County, OR?
Union County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 44th 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 Union County?
Union County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (92th percentile), earthquake (77th percentile), flooding (37th percentile), tornado (6th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 92th 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 Union County risk compare to the Oregon average?
Union County's composite risk percentile is 44th, compared to the Oregon state average of 63th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Union County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Oregon.
Is Union County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Union County's wildfire risk is at the 92th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Union County is at the 37th 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 Union County a safe place to live?
Union County's composite risk score of 44th 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 92th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Baker County

Oregon

+4.6

Relatively Low

48th percentile

Malheur County

Oregon

-8.8

Very Low

35th percentile

Wallowa County

Oregon

-9.6

Very Low

34th 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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