Natural Disaster Risk in Live Oak
California
Risk Summary for Live Oak
Live Oak scores 5.0/10 (Moderate risk), near the U.S. average of 4.5. The leading hazard is Drought.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Scores
How it compares
Live Conditions
🏠 What this means for insurance
Average risk — standard coverage usually sufficient
This area carries average natural disaster risk. A standard homeowners or renters policy should cover common events, but review the exclusions for floods and earthquakes, which are almost never included by default.
This is general information only. Consult a licensed insurance professional for advice specific to your property.
Natural Hazard Profile: Live Oak, California
Live Oak, in Sutter County, is a city of approximately 11,028 residents situated in the western mountain region near the Pacific Coast. Its Mediterranean climate brings dry summers and mild, wet winters with pronounced drought cycles, and in particular a critical fire season from late summer through fall. These conditions collectively define the natural hazard environment that Live Oak residents and property owners must navigate.
According to FEMA's National Risk Index, Live Oak carries an overall risk score of 5.0/10, placing it in the moderate category. Drought is the leading natural hazard, with multi-year dry periods capable of depleting water supplies, devastating agriculture, and increasing wildfire risk across the region. The area also faces notable exposure to volcano and earthquake.
Within California, Live Oak's risk is, slightly below the 5.9/10 state average. Nationally, it ranks near the U.S. national average of 4.5/10. FEMA's analysis of Sutter County identifies drought as the foremost hazard, followed by volcano and earthquake. These rankings reflect the relative frequency and severity of each hazard type in the local environment.
With a moderate risk rating, Live Oak residents are well-served by maintaining standard preparedness practices — an emergency supply kit, awareness of local hazard seasonality, and insurance that covers the top local risks. Periodic review of coverage for drought is recommended.
What this means for Live Oak: Drought preparedness
- Follow local water-use restrictions, which may be enacted during severe drought conditions.
- Adopt water-efficient landscaping and fixtures to reduce strain during extended dry periods.
- Be aware that prolonged drought raises secondary risks including wildfire and foundation soil movement.
Local Factors for Live Oak
These city-level factors differentiate Live Oak from other communities in Sutter County and provide geographic context for its hazard exposure.
Population
11,028
SuburbanGeographic Zone
Pacific Coast
Tsunami, coastal flood & wildfire risk
Climate Band
Moderate Continental
Latitude 39.3°
Flood Terrain
Minimal — county topography limits flood risk
Flood score: 1.0/10
Wildfire Exposure
High — long dry fire season
Fire score: 8.0/10
Coordinates
39.2502° N, 121.7731° W
Sutter County
Population and coordinates from SimpleMaps US Cities data. Hazard scores from FEMA National Risk Index. Geographic classification derived from coordinates.
Recent Climate Data for Live Oak
Last 12 months · Source: Open-Meteo archive
Notable Weather Days (last 12 months)
ZIP Codes in Live Oak
Other cities in California
Data source: FEMA National Risk Index (NRI). Scores normalized to 1–10 across all US counties. City scores inherit county-level FEMA data. For informational purposes only.