Clallam County, Washington Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · WA
MediumComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 90th
Clallam County faces medium composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 89.7, 90th national percentile), driven primarily by earthquake and winter weather exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $63M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Clallam County is medium, with a National Risk Index score of 89.7 out of 100 — placing it in the 90th 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.
Risk here concentrates in earthquake (ground shaking from sudden movement along geologic faults) at Medium risk — $39M in expected annual loss and about 0.04 events per year; winter weather (heavy snow, blizzards, and hazardous winter conditions) at High risk — $352K in expected annual loss and about 13.04 events per year; and landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Low risk — $29K in expected annual loss and about 7.16 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $63M in expected annual loss for a population of 77K.
Beyond physical exposure, Clallam County has a high social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a high community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). Higher vulnerability is partly offset by strong community resilience and recovery capacity.
History supports the rating: Clallam County has received 30 federal disaster declarations since 1979, including 14 for severe storm events and 10 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (flood), declared in April 2026.
Among 39 Washington counties, Clallam County ranks #14 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Earthquake | Medium | 0.04 / yr | $39M |
| Winter Weather | High | 13.04 / yr | $352K |
| Landslide | Low | 7.16 / yr | $29K |
| Tsunami | Medium | 0.13 / yr | $10M |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 0.21 / yr | $12M |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.12 / yr | $88K |
| Coastal Flood | Low | 3.62 / yr | $244K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $435 |
| Heat Wave | Low | 1.12 / yr | $194K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $20K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 0.06 / yr | $470K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 3.16 / yr | $35K |
| Drought | Very Low | 0.83 / yr | $5 |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.02 / yr | $71K |
| Strong Wind | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $12K |
| Hail | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $2K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Disaster History
Clallam County has received 30 federal disaster declarations since 1979, most recently Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides in April 2026. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (14), Flood (10), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| April 2026 | Flood | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| December 2025 | Flood | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| April 2024 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| January 2023 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| March 2022 | Flood | Severe Winter Storms, Snowstorms, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding |
| January 2022 | Flood | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| April 2021 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| March 2019 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, Mudslides, Tornado |
Showing the 10 most recent of 30 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Clallam County?
Clallam County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 89.7 out of 100, placing it in the Medium category and the 90th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Clallam County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Earthquake (Medium, $39M EAL), Winter Weather (High, $352K EAL), Landslide (Low, $29K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Clallam County compare to other Washington counties?
Clallam County ranks #14 of 39 Washington counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a medium rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Clallam County had?
FEMA records 30 federal disaster declarations for Clallam County since 1979, most often 14 for severe storm events and 10 for flood 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. Clallam County's $63M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.