California natural disaster risk
California ranks #51 of 51 from safest. Its biggest relative risks are earthquake, riverine flooding, wildfire.
The vertical line marks the middle of U.S. counties (50).
Risk in California's largest counties
| County | Population | Risk score | FEMA rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles County | 9,808,667 | 100.0 | Very High |
| San Diego County | 3,288,774 | 99.7 | Very High |
| Orange County | 3,165,820 | 99.8 | Very High |
| Riverside County | 2,478,600 | 99.9 | Very High |
| San Bernardino County | 2,197,104 | 99.8 | Very High |
| Santa Clara County | 1,902,047 | 99.7 | Very High |
| Alameda County | 1,649,473 | 99.8 | Very High |
| Sacramento County | 1,594,006 | 98.1 | Relatively High |
| Contra Costa County | 1,165,012 | 99.5 | Very High |
| Fresno County | 1,016,725 | 99.3 | Relatively High |
| Kern County | 915,075 | 98.9 | Relatively High |
| Ventura County | 837,469 | 99.4 | Relatively High |
| San Francisco County | 830,235 | 99.5 | Very High |
| San Joaquin County | 797,334 | 98.6 | Relatively High |
| San Mateo County | 742,340 | 99.2 | Relatively High |
| Stanislaus County | 553,990 | 96.9 | Relatively High |
| Sonoma County | 485,040 | 99.1 | Relatively High |
| Tulare County | 478,693 | 97.0 | Relatively High |
| Solano County | 451,918 | 97.0 | Relatively High |
| Santa Barbara County | 443,701 | 99.0 | Relatively High |
| Monterey County | 437,613 | 98.7 | Relatively High |
| Placer County | 419,156 | 93.1 | Relatively Moderate |
| Merced County | 290,201 | 96.9 | Relatively High |
| San Luis Obispo County | 281,555 | 95.9 | Relatively High |
| Santa Cruz County | 264,926 | 97.8 | Relatively High |
County scores are averages, and the insurance figure above is what owners with a mortgage reported paying in 2024 (Census American Community Survey); premiums have risen since, especially in high-risk areas. For a specific home, check the address on FEMA's flood map and get insurance quotes before you commit. Our guide explains how to check natural disaster risk before you move.
Lowest-risk counties in California
- Lassen County 73.1
- Glenn County 74.4
- Amador County 79.2
- Yuba County 80.9
- Colusa County 81.1
- Sutter County 83.7
- San Benito County 85.2
- Tuolumne County 85.2
Cities in California
- Los Angeles, CA risk 100
- Riverside, CA risk 99.9
- San Francisco, CA risk 99.4
- San Diego, CA risk 99.7
- Sacramento, CA risk 96.1
- San Jose, CA risk 99.3
- Fresno, CA risk 98.9
- Bakersfield, CA risk 98.9
- Oxnard, CA risk 99.4
- Stockton, CA risk 98.6
- Santa Rosa, CA risk 99.1
- Vallejo, CA risk 97
- Santa Barbara, CA risk 99
- Salinas, CA risk 98.7
Frequently asked questions
Is California safe from natural disasters?
California's population-weighted FEMA risk score is 98.8 out of 100 (among the highest of U.S. counties), #51 of 51 from safest. About 94% of residents live in counties FEMA rates relatively high or very high.
What natural disasters happen in California?
The highest relative risks in California are earthquake, riverine flooding, wildfire (national percentile scores 99, 99, 97).
Where is the safest place to live in California?
Among counties with at least 20,000 people, the lowest FEMA risk scores are in Lassen County, Glenn County, Amador County.