Benton County
Washington — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
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
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 |
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.
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.