Yamhill County Disaster Risk
Yamhill County, Oregon
FEMA Risk Rating
Relatively Moderate
National Percentile
83th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#16
of 36 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
74th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 74% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 52% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Very Low
Higher than 18% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Relatively High
Higher than 97% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Yamhill County, Oregon
Yamhill County faces moderate national risk
Yamhill County scores 82.86 on the composite risk scale, placing it in the Relatively Moderate category and noticeably above the national median. This score indicates that Yamhill residents experience meaningful disaster exposure across multiple hazard types.
Upper-middle tier risk for Oregon
Yamhill's 82.86 composite score substantially exceeds Oregon's state average of 63.43, ranking it among the higher-risk counties statewide. Only Washington County scores higher overall, making Yamhill one of Oregon's two most hazard-prone counties.
Yamhill's earthquake risk rivals Washington County
Yamhill's earthquake risk (96.88) nearly matches Washington County's (99.01) and significantly exceeds Wasco's (82.98), reflecting shared proximity to major seismic zones. However, Yamhill's flood risk (74.11) falls between Wasco (59.22) and Washington (93.86), positioning it as a middle ground in the region's flood vulnerability.
Earthquakes and floods threaten Yamhill most
Yamhill County faces exceptional earthquake risk (96.88) from its location near the Cascadia Subduction Zone, making major seismic events a critical planning concern. Flood risk (74.11) ranks second, driven by the county's river valleys and agricultural lands that concentrate water during heavy precipitation events.
Comprehensive earthquake and flood coverage required
Yamhill residents must add earthquake insurance to their standard homeowners policies—one of the state's highest seismic risks demands this protection even though most policies exclude it. Flood insurance is equally critical for properties in the county's river corridors and low-lying agricultural areas to avoid catastrophic financial loss.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Yamhill County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Yamhill County
Risk Verdict
Yamhill County's overall risk score at the 83th 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 Yamhill County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 97th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Flood ranks second at the 74th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include wildfire (52th percentile), tornado (18th percentile).
Preparedness Context
Yamhill County ranks at the 97th 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. The county's flood risk at the 74th percentile nationally is a seasonal consideration alongside the year-round earthquake threat, requiring awareness of both hazard types. For earthquake preparedness, Yamhill 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, Yamhill County runs 19.4 composite risk points higher than the state mean — reflecting above-average hazard concentration in this area.
Is your household prepared for Yamhill County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Yamhill County, OR?
What types of natural hazards affect Yamhill County?
How does Yamhill County risk compare to the Oregon average?
Is Yamhill County at risk for earthquake?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Why is Yamhill County higher risk than average?
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.