Tehama County, California
Natural disaster risk, federal disaster history and flood insurance facts.
Tehama County, California has a moderate overall risk from natural hazards in FEMA's National Risk Index. Its risk score is higher than 89% of US counties. It ranks 41st of 58 counties in California. The costliest hazards here are inland flooding, wildfires and earthquakes. FEMA estimates about $69 million a year in expected losses, or roughly $1,049 per resident. Since 1964 it has been included in 23 federal disaster or emergency declarations for natural events (16 major disasters). The most recent was in July 2024 (Park Fire). About 1 in 48 homes here carry federal flood insurance (523 policies). Since 1978, federal flood insurance has paid about $5.6 million on 428 claims here, including $1.9 million for floods in 2014.
FEMA National Risk Index December 2025; OpenFEMA declarations to Nov 6, 2026; NFIP records. Updated November 6, 2026.
Top risks in Tehama County
- Check the FEMA flood map for your address, and ask the seller or landlord about past flooding.
- Price a flood policy now. Most new federal policies take 30 days to start.
- Clear dry plants and debris within 5 feet of the house.
- Get home insurance quotes early; availability varies by area.
- Ask whether an older house is bolted to its foundation.
- Consider separate earthquake insurance where risk is high.
All 18 hazards
What the ratings mean ›| Hazard | Rating | Score | Expected loss a year | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Inland flooding | 90.0 | $35M | ||
| Wildfire | 98.5 | $16M | ||
| Earthquake | 94.3 | $11M | ||
| Drought | 98.8 | $6M | ||
| Landslide | 98.3 | $625K | ||
| Heat wave | 57.2 | $459K | ||
| Lightning | 39.6 | $141K | ||
| Tornado | 12.9 | $96K | ||
| Volcanic activity | 92.5 | $58K | ||
| Hail | 9.2 | $25K | ||
| Strong wind | 4.0 | $21K | ||
| Winter weather | 2.3 | $1K | ||
| Avalanche | 28.2 | $79 |
Scores are percentiles: a score of 90 means higher risk than about 90% of US counties for that hazard. Hazards FEMA does not rate here are left out. Social vulnerability is relatively moderate and community resilience is relatively low in FEMA's measures.
Federal disaster history
Recent disasters nationwide ›Declarations by decade
Federal declarations for natural events that included Tehama County. 2020s bar runs to November 2026.
By type
Most recent
Show all 23
California also had 35 statewide declarations that did not name single counties.
Storm history since 1961
Tornado risk by county ›The National Weather Service has logged 133 storm reports in Tehama County since 1961, with 1 death and 25 injuries and about $572 million in reported damage. The strongest on record here was an F2 tornado on September 24, 1986.
Strongest tornadoes
| Date | Strength | Near | Hurt / killed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 24, 1986 | F2 | – | 1 / 0 |
| May 9, 1980 | F2 | – | 0 / 0 |
| Mar 14, 1987 | F0 | – | 0 / 0 |
| Apr 25, 2021 | EF0 | Kirkwood | 0 / 0 |
| Feb 19, 2013 | EF0 | Gerber | 0 / 0 |
Most damaging storms
| Date | Type | Near | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 29, 2000 | Wildfire | Red Bluff | $547M |
| Jan 1, 2023 | Flood | Red Flat Airstrip | $14M |
| Dec 3, 2014 | Flash Flood | Red Bluff | $7M |
| Sep 24, 1986 | Tornado | – | $3M |
| Oct 1, 2000 | Wildfire | Red Bluff | $547K |
| Dec 11, 2014 | Flood | Vina | $300K |
Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, county-based reports through Apr 21, 2026. Tornado records start in 1950, hail and wind in 1955, and floods and other storm types in 1996, so older decades undercount. Damage is in dollars of the year it happened and is often an estimate. Winter storms, heat and hurricanes are logged by forecast zone, not county, so they are not counted here.
Flood insurance in Tehama County
Check your address flood zone ›National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) records only; private flood policies are not included. Home counts as of Aug 3, 2026. Since 2021 NFIP prices each home separately under Risk Rating 2.0, so your price depends on the building, not the county. Ask an agent for a quote.
Homes in Tehama County
Older homes and mobile homes usually suffer more damage in storms, floods and earthquakes, and can cost more to insure. If you are buying, ask about roof age, foundation bolting and any retrofits. Source: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020 to 2024 5-year estimates; 27,527 housing units.
Compare in California
All 58 ›| Largest counties | Overall risk | Top hazard |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles County | Earthquake | |
| San Diego County | Inland flooding | |
| Orange County | Earthquake | |
| Riverside County | Inland flooding | |
| San Bernardino County | Inland flooding | |
| Santa Clara County | Earthquake | |
| Alameda County | Earthquake | |
| Sacramento County | Inland flooding |
Neighboring counties
| County | Overall risk | Declarations |
|---|---|---|
| Butte County | 37 | |
| Shasta County | 39 | |
| Mendocino County | 30 | |
| Glenn County | 19 | |
| Plumas County | 21 | |
| Trinity County | 30 |
Common questions about Tehama County
What is the biggest natural hazard in Tehama County?
Inland flooding has the highest expected yearly losses in Tehama County, about $34.5 million a year in FEMA's estimate. Wildfire is second at $15.8 million.
How many federal disasters has Tehama County had?
Tehama County has been included in 23 federal disaster or emergency declarations for natural events since 1964, including 16 major disasters. The most recent was Park Fire in July 2024.
Is Tehama County a high-risk place to live?
Its overall rating is Relatively Moderate, 41st highest of 58 in California. A county rating covers the whole area. Risk at one address can be much higher or lower, so check the FEMA flood map and ask about the home's history.
Do I need flood insurance in Tehama County?
Standard home insurance does not cover flooding. About 1 in 48 homes in Tehama County has federal flood insurance. Lenders require it in mapped high-risk zones, but many flood claims come from outside those zones.
How many tornadoes has Tehama County had?
NOAA records list 13 tornadoes in Tehama County since 1950. The strongest was an F2 tornado on September 24, 1986. The weather service has also logged 26 hail reports and 67 floods here.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index (December 2025), OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries, and NFIP policy and claims data. Hazard Compass is independent and not affiliated with FEMA. These figures describe the whole county, not a single property, and are not insurance or safety advice. Report a problem.