Asotin County, Washington Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · WA
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 18th
Asotin County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 17.9, 18th national percentile), driven primarily by wildfire and landslide exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $5M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Asotin County is very low, with a National Risk Index score of 17.9 out of 100 — placing it in the 18th 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 Asotin County's expected losses come from wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Medium risk — $982K in expected annual loss and about 0.01 events per year; landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Low risk — $6K in expected annual loss and about 0.44 events per year; and avalanche (fast-moving snow and debris sliding down steep mountain slopes) at Low risk — $4K in expected annual loss and about 0.01 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $5M in expected annual loss for a population of 22K.
Beyond physical exposure, Asotin County has a 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 federal record bears this out: Asotin County has received 13 federal disaster declarations since 1964, including 5 for flood events and 2 for biological events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (flood), declared in April 2026.
Among 39 Washington counties, Asotin County ranks #37 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Wildfire | Medium | 0.01 / yr | $982K |
| Landslide | Low | 0.44 / yr | $6K |
| Avalanche | Low | 0.01 / yr | $4K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 3.78 / yr | $356K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.39 / yr | $4M |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $77K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 12.62 / yr | $14K |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 0.09 / yr | $149K |
| Drought | Very Low | 28.56 / yr | $155 |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.15 / yr | $6K |
| Strong Wind | Very Low | 0.21 / yr | $58K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 16.68 / yr | $23K |
| Hail | Very Low | 0.40 / yr | $16K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.02 / yr | $27K |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Disaster History
Asotin County has received 13 federal disaster declarations since 1964, most recently Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides in April 2026. Most frequent causes: Flood (5), Biological (2), Severe Storm (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| April 2026 | Flood | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| August 2015 | Fire | Wildfires |
| March 2009 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm and Record and Near Record Snow |
| September 2005 | Coastal Storm | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| January 1997 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms, Land & Muds Slides,Flooding |
| February 1996 | Flood | High Winds, Severe Storms and Flooding |
| May 1980 | Volcanic Eruption | Volcanic Eruption, Mt. St. Helens |
| March 1977 | Drought | Drought |
Showing the 10 most recent of 13 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Asotin County?
Asotin County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 17.9 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 18th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Asotin County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Wildfire (Medium, $982K EAL), Landslide (Low, $6K EAL), Avalanche (Low, $4K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Asotin County compare to other Washington counties?
Asotin County ranks #37 of 39 Washington counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Asotin County had?
FEMA records 13 federal disaster declarations for Asotin County since 1964, most often 5 for flood events and 2 for biological events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides, declared in April 2026.
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. Asotin County's $5M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.