Benton County, Washington Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · WA
MediumComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 87th
Benton County faces medium composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 87.1, 87th national percentile), driven primarily by wildfire and heat wave exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $70M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Benton County at medium composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 87.1 out of 100 — placing it in the 87th 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.
Most of Benton County's expected losses come from wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Medium risk — $7M in expected annual loss and about 0.01 events per year; heat wave (prolonged periods of extreme heat that threaten health and infrastructure) at Medium risk — $6M in expected annual loss and about 7.89 events per year; and earthquake (ground shaking from sudden movement along geologic faults) at Medium risk — $10M in expected annual loss and about 0.01 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $70M in expected annual loss for a population of 207K.
Beyond physical exposure, Benton County has a low social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a medium community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). Both measures sit toward the lower end, indicating relatively modest population sensitivity.
The federal record bears this out: Benton County has received 20 federal disaster declarations since 1964, including 9 for flood events and 3 for fire events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (flood), declared in December 2025.
Among 39 Washington counties, Benton County ranks #19 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Wildfire | Medium | 0.01 / yr | $7M |
| Heat Wave | Medium | 7.89 / yr | $6M |
| Earthquake | Medium | 0.01 / yr | $10M |
| Winter Weather | High | 7.95 / yr | $496K |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 0.39 / yr | $40M |
| Ice Storm | High | 0.23 / yr | $929K |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 0.42 / yr | $5M |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $856 |
| Landslide | Low | 0.48 / yr | $13K |
| Lightning | Medium | 7.44 / yr | $400K |
| Hail | Low | 0.21 / yr | $305K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 0.29 / yr | $528K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $148 |
| Drought | Very Low | 25.70 / yr | $20K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.06 / yr | $240K |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Disaster History
Benton County has received 20 federal disaster declarations since 1964, most recently Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides in December 2025. Most frequent causes: Flood (9), Fire (3), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| December 2025 | Flood | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| April 2017 | Flood | Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, Mudslides |
| August 2016 | Fire | South Ward Gap Fire |
| August 2009 | Fire | Dry Creek Fire Complex |
| March 2009 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm and Record and Near Record Snow |
| January 2009 | Flood | Severe Winter Storm, Landslides, Mudslides, and Flooding |
| September 2005 | Coastal Storm | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| March 2001 | Earthquake | Earthquake |
Showing the 10 most recent of 20 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Benton County?
Benton County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 87.1 out of 100, placing it in the Medium category and the 87th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Benton County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Wildfire (Medium, $7M EAL), Heat Wave (Medium, $6M EAL), Earthquake (Medium, $10M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Benton County compare to other Washington counties?
Benton County ranks #19 of 39 Washington counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a medium rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Benton County had?
FEMA records 20 federal disaster declarations for Benton County since 1964, most often 9 for flood events and 3 for fire events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides, declared in December 2025.
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. Benton County's $70M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.