Washington County, Pennsylvania Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · PA
MediumComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 83th
Washington County faces medium composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 83.1, 83th national percentile), driven primarily by landslide and riverine flood exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $57M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Washington County is medium, with a National Risk Index score of 83.1 out of 100 — placing it in the 83rd national percentile and near the national midpoint for natural-disaster risk. The score blends Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across all 18 FEMA hazard types.
The county's risk is driven primarily by landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Medium risk — $121K in expected annual loss and about 2.09 events per year; riverine flood (rivers and streams overflowing their banks after heavy rain or snowmelt) at Medium risk — $51M in expected annual loss and about 3.71 events per year; and lightning (electrical discharges from storms that ignite fires and cause casualties) at High risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 42.71 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $57M in expected annual loss for a population of 209K.
Beyond physical exposure, Washington County has a low social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a very high community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). A less vulnerable population paired with strong resilience helps the community absorb and recover from events.
History supports the rating: Washington County has received 14 federal disaster declarations since 1972, including 3 for hurricane events and 3 for severe storm events. The most recent was Covid-19 Pandemic (biological), declared in March 2020.
Among 67 Pennsylvania counties, Washington County ranks #20 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Landslide | Medium | 2.09 / yr | $121K |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 3.71 / yr | $51M |
| Lightning | High | 42.71 / yr | $1M |
| Hail | Medium | 3.31 / yr | $1M |
| Hurricane | Low | 0.03 / yr | $236K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $503K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.48 / yr | $136K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.29 / yr | $1M |
| Heat Wave | Low | 1.95 / yr | $388K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $43K |
| Drought | Low | 0.84 / yr | $118K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 2.23 / yr | $408K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 10.32 / yr | $19K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $14 |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 2.84 / yr | $65K |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Disaster History
Washington County has received 14 federal disaster declarations since 1972, most recently Covid-19 Pandemic in March 2020. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (3), Severe Storm (3), Flood (3).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| October 2012 | Hurricane | Hurricane Sandy |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina |
| September 2004 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding Associated with Tropical Depression Frances |
| September 2004 | Hurricane | Tropical Depression Ivan |
| March 2003 | Severe Storm | Snow |
| January 1996 | Flood | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| January 1996 | Snowstorm | Blizzard of 96 |
| March 1994 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms |
Showing the 10 most recent of 14 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Washington County?
Washington County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 83.1 out of 100, placing it in the Medium category and the 83th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Washington County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Landslide (Medium, $121K EAL), Riverine Flood (Medium, $51M EAL), Lightning (High, $1M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Washington County compare to other Pennsylvania counties?
Washington County ranks #20 of 67 Pennsylvania counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a medium rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Washington County had?
FEMA records 14 federal disaster declarations for Washington County since 1972, most often 3 for hurricane events and 3 for severe storm events. The most recent was Covid-19 Pandemic, declared in March 2020.
What does Expected Annual Loss (EAL) mean?
EAL is FEMA's estimate of average annual dollar losses from natural hazards, calculated from historical event data and exposure models. Washington County's $57M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.