Out of 51 counties with PHMSA gas distribution data, these are the counties with the highest incident risk.
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Counties ranked | 51 |
| Total incidents (top 100) | 492 |
| Total fatalities (top 100) | 25 |
Top 51 Counties
| Rank | County | State | Incidents | Fatalities | Latest Year | Risk Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Inyo | California | 49 | 4 | 2023 | 15/100 |
| 2 | Kern | California | 49 | 4 | 2023 | 15/100 |
| 3 | Los Angeles | California | 49 | 4 | 2023 | 11/100 |
| 4 | Butte | California | 49 | 4 | 2023 | 11/100 |
| 5 | San Joaquin | California | 49 | 4 | 2023 | 11/100 |
| 6 | Santa Clara | California | 23 | 0 | 2023 | 10/100 |
| 7 | Madera | California | 19 | 1 | 2020 | 10/100 |
| 8 | Orange | California | 15 | 0 | 2025 | 5/100 |
| 9 | Lassen | California | 15 | 0 | 2025 | 5/100 |
| 10 | Lake | California | 15 | 0 | 2025 | 5/100 |
| 11 | San Diego | California | 13 | 0 | 2020 | 4/100 |
| 12 | Alameda | California | 11 | 1 | 2025 | 16/100 |
| 13 | San Bernardino | California | 10 | 0 | 2025 | 15/100 |
| 14 | Riverside | California | 10 | 0 | 2025 | 15/100 |
| 15 | Contra Costa | California | 10 | 0 | 2023 | 8/100 |
| 16 | Tulare | California | 6 | 0 | 2020 | 3/100 |
| 17 | Fresno | California | 6 | 0 | 2017 | 3/100 |
| 18 | Monterey | California | 6 | 0 | 2021 | 3/100 |
| 19 | San Francisco | California | 6 | 0 | 2019 | 3/100 |
| 20 | Stanislaus | California | 6 | 0 | 2012 | 3/100 |
| 21 | Merced | California | 5 | 2 | 2016 | 11/100 |
| 22 | Shasta | California | 5 | 0 | 2018 | 6/100 |
| 23 | Sacramento | California | 4 | 0 | 2018 | 8/100 |
| 24 | Ventura | California | 4 | 0 | 2024 | 6/100 |
| 25 | Napa | California | 4 | 0 | 2016 | 3/100 |
| 26 | Glenn | California | 4 | 0 | 2018 | 3/100 |
| 27 | San Mateo | California | 4 | 0 | 2018 | 2/100 |
| 28 | Placer | California | 4 | 0 | 2018 | 2/100 |
| 29 | El Dorado | California | 4 | 0 | 2019 | 2/100 |
| 30 | Nevada | California | 4 | 0 | 2018 | 2/100 |
| 31 | Sonoma | California | 3 | 0 | 2017 | 16/100 |
| 32 | San Luis Obispo | California | 3 | 0 | 2020 | 2/100 |
| 33 | Santa Barbara | California | 3 | 0 | 2018 | 1/100 |
| 34 | Mono | California | 2 | 0 | 2023 | 7/100 |
| 35 | Tehama | California | 2 | 1 | 2010 | 6/100 |
| 36 | Kings | California | 2 | 0 | 2011 | 3/100 |
| 37 | Santa Cruz | California | 2 | 0 | 2024 | 3/100 |
| 38 | Mendocino | California | 2 | 0 | 2024 | 3/100 |
| 39 | Sutter | California | 2 | 0 | 2004 | 2/100 |
| 40 | Marin | California | 2 | 0 | 2018 | 1/100 |
| 41 | Humboldt | California | 2 | 0 | 2010 | 1/100 |
| 42 | Yolo | California | 2 | 0 | 2004 | 1/100 |
| 43 | Imperial | California | 1 | 0 | 2006 | 15/100 |
| 44 | Solano | California | 1 | 0 | 2017 | 5/100 |
| 45 | Colusa | California | 1 | 0 | 2008 | 3/100 |
| 46 | Alpine | California | 1 | 0 | 2018 | 2/100 |
| 47 | Yuba | California | 1 | 0 | 2017 | 2/100 |
| 48 | Siskiyou | California | 1 | 0 | 2018 | 1/100 |
| 49 | Plumas | California | 1 | 0 | 2018 | 0/100 |
| 50 | Amador | California | 0 | 0 | — | 7/100 |
| 51 | Del Norte | California | 0 | 0 | — | 1/100 |
Methodology
County rankings for California based on total PHMSA gas distribution incidents reported since 2004.
Data source: U.S. DOT Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), Gas Distribution System Incident Reports 2004-2026. Last updated: 2026-06-04.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a gas distribution incident?
Gas distribution incidents involve failures in the local natural gas pipeline network — leaks, ruptures, explosions, and equipment failures that can cause property damage, injuries, and fatalities. PHMSA requires all operators to report significant incidents.
How can I protect my home?
Install CO detectors on every level (CPSC recommendation). Have gas appliances inspected annually. Know the signs of a gas leak: rotten egg smell, hissing near gas lines, dead vegetation near pipelines. If you suspect a leak, leave immediately and call 911.