Drought risk by county
Long dry periods that hurt crops, lower water supplies and raise wildfire risk.
Highest expected losses
| # | County | Rating | A year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fresno County, CA | $223M | |
| 2 | San Joaquin County, CA | $83M | |
| 3 | Monterey County, CA | $81M | |
| 4 | Stanislaus County, CA | $71M | |
| 5 | Merced County, CA | $70M | |
| 6 | Santa Barbara County, CA | $65M | |
| 7 | Madera County, CA | $63M | |
| 8 | Lubbock County, TX | $62M | |
| 9 | Parmer County, TX | $43M | |
| 10 | Kings County, CA | $34M | |
| 11 | Colusa County, CA | $29M | |
| 12 | San Luis Obispo County, CA | $29M | |
| 13 | Yolo County, CA | $29M | |
| 14 | Butte County, CA | $26M | |
| 15 | Napa County, CA | $21M |
Big counties lead this list partly because they have more people and buildings at risk.
Highest per resident
| # | County (100,000+ people) | Per person a year |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Madera County, CA | $406 |
| 2 | Merced County, CA | $250 |
| 3 | Kings County, CA | $226 |
| 4 | Fresno County, CA | $221 |
| 5 | Lubbock County, TX | $200 |
| 6 | Monterey County, CA | $185 |
| 7 | Napa County, CA | $155 |
| 8 | Santa Barbara County, CA | $145 |
| 9 | Yolo County, CA | $133 |
| 10 | Stanislaus County, CA | $129 |
Expected yearly loss divided by population. A fairer way to compare places of different size.
Lowest risk among large counties
| # | County (250,000+ people) | Rating | Per person a year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington County, OR | under $1 | |
| 2 | Multnomah County, OR | under $1 | |
| 3 | Pierce County, WA | under $1 | |
| 4 | Ramsey County, MN | under $1 | |
| 5 | Queens County, NY | under $1 | |
| 6 | Kings County, NY | under $1 | |
| 7 | Snohomish County, WA | under $1 | |
| 8 | St. Joseph County, IN | under $1 | |
| 9 | King County, WA | under $1 | |
| 10 | Honolulu County, HI | under $1 |
How ratings are spread
The lists above show only the top counties, so they are all rated high. Across all 2,760 rated counties, most are Low or Very Low:
How to prepare
- Check local water restrictions.
- Choose drought-tolerant plants.
- In farm areas, review crop and livestock insurance.
States where it is most often the top hazard
Read more
What a county's natural hazard risk rating actually means
How FEMA's National Risk Index rates every US county, why big counties score high, and how to read the numbers on a county page.
Does homeowners insurance cover flooding?
Most home policies leave out flood damage. What is covered, what isn't, and how flood insurance works.
Common questions
Which US county has the highest drought risk?
Fresno County, CA has the highest expected yearly drought losses in FEMA's National Risk Index, about $223 million a year. San Joaquin County, CA is second at $83.3 million.
How many counties face drought risk?
FEMA rates drought in 2,760 of 3,144 counties in the 50 states and DC. 17 are rated Very High and 280 Relatively High.
Is drought covered by home insurance?
Usually yes for damage to the home, but check deductibles. Some states and insurers use separate wind, hail or hurricane deductibles.
Other hazards
Source: FEMA National Risk Index (December 2025). Expected annual loss is FEMA's long-run estimate of yearly damage to buildings, people and farm output, in dollars.