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

Wallowa County Disaster Risk

Wallowa County, Oregon

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

34th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#26

of 36 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

49th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 49% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Moderate

Higher than 93% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 4% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 38% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Wallowa County, Oregon

Wallowa County ranks among safest nationally

Wallowa County's composite risk score of 33.97 and Very Low rating place it well below the U.S. average. The mountainous terrain and sparse population limit overall disaster exposure despite notable wildfire and earthquake hazards.

Wallowa remains below Oregon's average risk

At 33.97, Wallowa County's composite score sits well below Oregon's 63.43 state average, ranking among the state's safer counties. The county benefits from lower density and geographic isolation.

Safer than surrounding counties

Wallowa County's score of 33.97 undercuts nearby Union (43.54), Umatilla (82.28), and Baker counties. The county's mountainous Wallowa Valley location and limited infrastructure minimize overall hazard exposure.

Wildfires dominate Wallowa hazards

Wildfire risk scores 92.68—by far Wallowa's most significant hazard—reflecting the dry Blue Mountains and fire-prone landscape. Earthquake risk (37.66) and flood risk (48.85) present secondary concerns.

Wildfire insurance your top priority

Wallowa residents should secure wildfire coverage riders, as standard homeowners policies typically exclude it; budget 10–15% of home value. Given the county's otherwise very low risk profile, basic earthquake and flood riders provide adequate supplemental protection.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Wallowa County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    93th percentile
  2. #2
    FloodPrepare
    49th percentile
  3. #3
    EarthquakePrepare
    38th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Wallowa County

Risk Verdict

Wallowa County sits in the lower tier of U.S. counties for natural disaster exposure, ranked at the 34th percentile nationally. Residents of Wallowa County can use the 34th percentile ranking as a baseline, while recognizing that individual properties may still lie in specific hazard zones that differ from the county average.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is Wallowa County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 93th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Flood ranks second at the 49th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (38th percentile), tornado (4th percentile).

Preparedness Context

At the 93th percentile nationally for wildfire risk, Wallowa County households benefit from creating defensible space — a buffer of reduced vegetation around structures — and reviewing whether homeowners insurance covers wildfire damage in this region. A secondary flood exposure at the 49th percentile nationally means Wallowa County residents face hazards from two distinct natural peril categories during different seasons. Enrolling in the county's wireless emergency alert system and keeping a vehicle at least half-full during peak fire season are low-cost habits that dramatically reduce evacuation lag time for Wallowa County residents.

Regional Context

Wallowa County falls 29.5 points below Oregon's typical county risk level, making it one of the safer natural-hazard environments in the state.

Is your household prepared for Wallowa 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 Wallowa County, OR?
Wallowa County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 34th 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 Wallowa County?
Wallowa County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (93th percentile), flooding (49th percentile), earthquake (38th percentile), tornado (4th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 93th 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 Wallowa County risk compare to the Oregon average?
Wallowa County's composite risk percentile is 34th, compared to the Oregon state average of 63th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Wallowa County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Oregon.
Is Wallowa County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Wallowa County's wildfire risk is at the 93th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Wallowa County is at the 49th 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 Wallowa County a safe place to live?
Wallowa County's composite risk score of 34th 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 93th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Crook County

Oregon

-0.4

Very Low

34th percentile

Malheur County

Oregon

+0.8

Very Low

35th percentile

Grant County

Oregon

-1.8

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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