Washington natural disaster risk
Washington ranks #42 of 51 from the lowest population-weighted county-score mean in our state comparison. Its highest hazard-score means are earthquake, landslide, riverine flooding.
RelocateMath computes these state means by weighting FEMA county scores by population. A mean of county percentiles is not a national state percentile or an official FEMA state rating.
The vertical line marks county-score scale midpoint (50).
Find your county's risk in Washington
All 39 county rows with a FEMA score are available below, initially ordered by population.
| County | Population | Risk score | FEMA rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| King County | 2,287,171 | 99.7 | Very High |
| Pierce County | 930,319 | 98.5 | Relatively High |
| Snohomish County | 844,430 | 97.9 | Relatively High |
| Spokane County | 549,056 | 90.0 | Relatively Moderate |
| Clark County | 516,959 | 92.2 | Relatively Moderate |
| Thurston County | 299,067 | 94.5 | Relatively High |
| Kitsap County | 277,881 | 92.3 | Relatively Moderate |
| Yakima County | 257,152 | 94.0 | Relatively Moderate |
| Whatcom County | 230,503 | 91.0 | Relatively Moderate |
| Benton County | 212,905 | 87.1 | Relatively Moderate |
| Skagit County | 131,328 | 88.8 | Relatively Moderate |
| Cowlitz County | 112,360 | 90.3 | Relatively Moderate |
| Grant County | 101,799 | 76.9 | Relatively Low |
| Franklin County | 98,902 | 72.5 | Relatively Low |
| Island County | 86,836 | 78.0 | Relatively Low |
| Lewis County | 85,154 | 89.7 | Relatively Moderate |
| Chelan County | 80,172 | 90.9 | Relatively Moderate |
| Clallam County | 77,813 | 89.7 | Relatively Moderate |
| Grays Harbor County | 77,053 | 97.0 | Relatively High |
| Mason County | 67,982 | 85.3 | Relatively Moderate |
| Walla Walla County | 62,161 | 60.4 | Relatively Low |
| Stevens County | 48,067 | 60.3 | Relatively Low |
| Kittitas County | 47,172 | 89.1 | Relatively Moderate |
| Whitman County | 47,003 | 39.8 | Very Low |
| Douglas County | 44,366 | 74.1 | Relatively Low |
| Okanogan County | 43,425 | 89.2 | Relatively Moderate |
| Jefferson County | 33,577 | 64.4 | Relatively Low |
| Pacific County | 23,994 | 92.7 | Relatively Moderate |
| Klickitat County | 23,411 | 73.9 | Relatively Low |
| Asotin County | 22,467 | 17.9 | Very Low |
| Adams County | 20,800 | 23.2 | Very Low |
| San Juan County | 18,478 | 35.4 | Very Low |
| Pend Oreille County | 14,050 | 28.0 | Very Low |
| Skamania County | 12,402 | 49.7 | Relatively Low |
| Lincoln County | 11,489 | 54.9 | Relatively Low |
| Ferry County | 7,387 | 51.7 | Relatively Low |
| Wahkiakum County | 4,658 | 19.3 | Very Low |
| Columbia County | 4,014 | 8.6 | Very Low |
| Garfield County | 2,353 | 1.6 | Very Low |
The county rows show FEMA's own county percentile scores and rating categories; the state figures above are our weighted means. County data cannot establish a property's safety. Expected loss is modeled annual loss per resident, not a premium quote. The insurance figure is what owners with a mortgage reported paying in 2024 (Census American Community Survey), not a current quote. For a specific home, check the address on FEMA's flood map and get insurance quotes before you commit. Our guide explains how to check natural disaster risk before you move.
Lowest FEMA county risk scores in Washington
- Asotin County 17.9
- Adams County 23.2
- Whitman County 39.8
- Stevens County 60.3
- Walla Walla County 60.4
- Jefferson County 64.4
- Franklin County 72.5
- Klickitat County 73.9
Cities in Washington
- Seattle, WA county-score mean 99
- Portland, OR county-score mean 94.6
- Spokane, WA county-score mean 87.6
- Olympia, WA county-score mean 94.5
- Bremerton, WA county-score mean 92.3
Frequently asked questions
Is Washington safe from natural disasters?
Washington's population-weighted county-score mean is 92.8 out of 100 (very high county-score mean), #42 of 51 from the lowest mean in our state comparison. A state average cannot show whether an individual home is safe. About 57% of residents live in counties FEMA rates relatively high or very high.
What natural disasters happen in Washington?
The highest population-weighted county hazard-score means in Washington are earthquake, landslide, riverine flooding (means 96, 92, 92 on the 0–100 county-score scale). These are not national state percentiles.
Which counties have the lowest modeled risk scores in Washington?
Among counties with at least 20,000 people, the lowest FEMA county risk scores are in Asotin County, Adams County, Whitman County. Conditions vary within each county; check an individual address separately.