Porterville, CA
Local storm history & FEMA National Risk Index data
Porterville is rated Relatively High for overall natural hazard risk — higher risk than most US counties — based on FEMA's National Risk Index for Tulare County, CA. The county's highest-rated hazards are heat wave, inland flooding, and wildfire.
Storm events near Porterville
NOAA-recorded tornado, hail, and flood events within 25 miles of Porterville's center, 2016–2026 — the only hazards NOAA reports with exact coordinates, so these counts are specific to Porterville 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 Tulare County's FEMA National Risk Index scores, covering Porterville along with the rest of the county, not a Porterville-specific figure.
| Hazard | NRI score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Wildfire | 98 | Relatively High |
| Inland Flooding | 98.1 | Relatively High |
| Coastal Flooding | — | Not Applicable |
| Earthquake | 97.9 | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | 99.2 | Relatively High |
| Tornado | 30.3 | Relatively Low |
| Avalanche | 89.9 | Relatively High |
| Cold Wave | 0 | No Rating |
| Drought | 88.6 | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | 92.5 | Relatively Moderate |
| Hurricane | — | Not Applicable |
| Ice Storm | — | Not Applicable |
| Landslide | 97.9 | Relatively High |
| Lightning | 94.9 | Relatively High |
| Strong Wind | 26.9 | Relatively Low |
| Tsunami | — | Not Applicable |
| Volcanic Activity | 73.3 | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | 24.1 | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20.0, December 2025. See the methodology page for definitions, or the full Tulare County risk profile for disaster declarations, social vulnerability, and climate projection data.
Other cities in Tulare County:
More on Tulare County:
Frequently asked questions
What natural hazards is Porterville, CA at risk of?
Porterville 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 Tulare County, where Porterville is located, are heat wave, inland flooding, and wildfire.
What is Porterville's biggest natural hazard risk?
Heat Wave is the highest-rated hazard for Tulare County, where Porterville is located, scoring 99.2 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (rated "Relatively High").
Is Porterville a high-risk area for natural disasters?
Yes — Porterville carries higher risk than most US counties for overall natural hazard risk, per FEMA's National Risk Index rating of "Relatively High" for Tulare County.
Has Porterville had tornadoes, hail, or flooding?
NOAA has recorded 4 hail, 122 inland flooding events within 25 miles of Porterville since 2016.