Merced, CA
Local storm history & FEMA National Risk Index data
Merced is rated Relatively High for overall natural hazard risk — higher risk than most US counties — based on FEMA's National Risk Index for Merced County, CA. The county's highest-rated hazards are drought, earthquake, and heat wave.
Storm events near Merced
NOAA-recorded tornado, hail, and flood events within 25 miles of Merced's center, 2016–2026 — the only hazards NOAA reports with exact coordinates, so these counts are specific to Merced itself, not the whole county.
County-wide hazard risk
Every other hazard FEMA and NOAA track — including drought — is only scored at the county level. These are Merced County's FEMA National Risk Index scores, covering Merced along with the rest of the county, not a Merced-specific figure.
| Hazard | NRI score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Wildfire | 92.2 | Relatively Moderate |
| Inland Flooding | 94.7 | Relatively High |
| Coastal Flooding | — | Not Applicable |
| Earthquake | 98.5 | Relatively High |
| Heat Wave | 97.7 | Relatively High |
| Tornado | 26.2 | Relatively Low |
| Avalanche | 3.4 | Very Low |
| Cold Wave | 0 | No Rating |
| Drought | 99.9 | Very High |
| Hail | 67.1 | Relatively Low |
| Hurricane | — | Not Applicable |
| Ice Storm | — | Not Applicable |
| Landslide | 54.7 | Very Low |
| Lightning | 84.6 | Relatively High |
| Strong Wind | 20.4 | Relatively Low |
| Tsunami | — | Not Applicable |
| Volcanic Activity | 50.2 | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | 19.6 | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20.0, December 2025. See the methodology page for definitions, or the full Merced County risk profile for disaster declarations, social vulnerability, and climate projection data.
Other cities in Merced County:
More on Merced County:
Frequently asked questions
What natural hazards is Merced, CA at risk of?
Merced is rated Relatively High for overall natural hazard risk by FEMA's National Risk Index — higher risk than most US counties. The highest-rated hazards for Merced County, where Merced is located, are drought, earthquake, and heat wave.
What is Merced's biggest natural hazard risk?
Drought is the highest-rated hazard for Merced County, where Merced is located, scoring 99.9 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (rated "Very High").
Is Merced a high-risk area for natural disasters?
Yes — Merced carries higher risk than most US counties for overall natural hazard risk, per FEMA's National Risk Index rating of "Relatively High" for Merced County.
Has Merced had tornadoes, hail, or flooding?
NOAA has recorded 1 hail, 113 inland flooding events within 25 miles of Merced since 2016.