King County, Texas Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · TX
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 0th
King County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 0.3, 0th national percentile), driven primarily by wildfire and drought exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $401K.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in King County is very low, with a National Risk Index score of 0.3 out of 100 — placing it in the 0th national percentile and among the lowest-risk counties in the country. The score blends Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across all 18 FEMA hazard types.
Most of King County's expected losses come from wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Very Low risk — $42K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year; drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at Low risk — $72K in expected annual loss and about 126.09 events per year; and hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Low risk — $92K in expected annual loss and about 5.08 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $401K in expected annual loss for a population of 262.
Beyond physical exposure, King County has a very high social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a low community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). That combination — a more vulnerable population with limited resilience — can amplify the human cost of any given event.
The county's disaster history tells the same story: King County has received 17 federal disaster declarations since 1993, including 7 for fire events and 3 for hurricane events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storms (severe ice storm), declared in February 2021.
Among 254 Texas counties, King County ranks #253 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $42K |
| Drought | Low | 126.09 / yr | $72K |
| Hail | Low | 5.08 / yr | $92K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.26 / yr | $62 |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $1K |
| Strong Wind | Very Low | 2.05 / yr | $38K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.53 / yr | $25K |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 1.05 / yr | $8K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.36 / yr | $1K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 3.89 / yr | $3K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 5.42 / yr | $868 |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $794 |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.07 / yr | $115K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 48.51 / yr | $951 |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| 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
King County has received 17 federal disaster declarations since 1993, most recently Severe Winter Storms in February 2021. Most frequent causes: Fire (7), Hurricane (3), Severe Ice Storm (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| February 2021 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Storms |
| February 2021 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| February 2016 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| July 2011 | Fire | Wildfires |
| April 2011 | Fire | Swenson Fire |
| March 2008 | Fire | Eighty-Two Fire |
| March 2008 | Fire | Wildfires |
| January 2006 | Fire | Extreme Wildfire Threat |
Showing the 10 most recent of 17 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for King County?
King County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 0.3 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 0th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in King County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Wildfire (Very Low, $42K EAL), Drought (Low, $72K EAL), Hail (Low, $92K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does King County compare to other Texas counties?
King County ranks #253 of 254 Texas counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has King County had?
FEMA records 17 federal disaster declarations for King County since 1993, most often 7 for fire events and 3 for hurricane events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storms, declared in February 2021.
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. King County's $401K EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.