Clark County, Washington Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · WA
MediumComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 92th
Clark County faces medium composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 92.2, 92th national percentile), driven primarily by earthquake and cold wave exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $157M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Clark County at medium composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 92.2 out of 100 — placing it in the 92nd 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 — $54M in expected annual loss and about 0.02 events per year; cold wave (prolonged spells of dangerously low temperatures) at High risk — $20M in expected annual loss and about 0.26 events per year; and heat wave (prolonged periods of extreme heat that threaten health and infrastructure) at Medium risk — $10M in expected annual loss and about 6.95 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $157M in expected annual loss for a population of 503K.
Beyond physical exposure, Clark County has a very low 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). A less vulnerable population paired with strong resilience helps the community absorb and recover from events.
History supports the rating: Clark County has received 17 federal disaster declarations since 1964, including 6 for severe storm events and 5 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, Clark County ranks #9 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Earthquake | Medium | 0.02 / yr | $54M |
| Cold Wave | High | 0.26 / yr | $20M |
| Heat Wave | Medium | 6.95 / yr | $10M |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 0.32 / yr | $68M |
| Ice Storm | High | 1.86 / yr | $1M |
| Volcanic Activity | Low | 0.01 / yr | $15K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 0.05 / yr | $2M |
| Landslide | Low | 2.18 / yr | $24K |
| Lightning | Medium | 8.06 / yr | $970K |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 10.79 / yr | $205K |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $222K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.05 / yr | $717K |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.23 / yr | $6K |
| Hail | Very Low | 0.06 / yr | $121K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $16 |
| Drought | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Disaster History
Clark County has received 17 federal disaster declarations since 1964, most recently Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides in April 2026. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (6), Flood (5), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| April 2026 | Flood | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| April 2024 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| October 2022 | Fire | Nakia Creek Fire |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| February 2016 | Flood | Severe Winter Storm, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, Mudslides, and a T |
| March 2009 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm and Record and Near Record Snow |
| February 2007 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| December 2006 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| September 2005 | Coastal Storm | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
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 Clark County?
Clark County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 92.2 out of 100, placing it in the Medium category and the 92th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Clark County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Earthquake (Medium, $54M EAL), Cold Wave (High, $20M EAL), Heat Wave (Medium, $10M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Clark County compare to other Washington counties?
Clark County ranks #9 of 39 Washington counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a medium rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Clark County had?
FEMA records 17 federal disaster declarations for Clark County since 1964, most often 6 for severe storm events and 5 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. Clark County's $157M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.