Garfield County, Washington Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · WA
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 2th
Garfield County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 1.6, 2th national percentile), driven primarily by wildfire and avalanche exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $2M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Garfield County at very low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 1.6 out of 100 — placing it in the 2nd 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 Garfield County's expected losses come from wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Low risk — $195K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year; avalanche (fast-moving snow and debris sliding down steep mountain slopes) at Very Low risk — $2K in expected annual loss and about 0.01 events per year; and landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Very Low risk — $3K in expected annual loss and about 0.58 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $2M in expected annual loss for a population of 2K.
Beyond physical exposure, Garfield County has a very low 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). Both measures sit toward the lower end, indicating relatively modest population sensitivity.
The county's disaster history tells the same story: Garfield County has received 15 federal disaster declarations since 1964, including 7 for flood events and 3 for severe storm events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (flood), declared in April 2026.
Among 39 Washington counties, Garfield County ranks #39 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $195K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $2K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.58 / yr | $3K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $30K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.22 / yr | $13K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 4.19 / yr | $42K |
| Drought | Very Low | 24.11 / yr | $559 |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.14 / yr | $2M |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 0.13 / yr | $40K |
| Hail | Very Low | 0.36 / yr | $20K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 10.80 / yr | $2K |
| Strong Wind | Very Low | 0.22 / yr | $12K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.02 / yr | $4K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 14.34 / yr | $2K |
| 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
Garfield County has received 15 federal disaster declarations since 1964, most recently Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides in April 2026. Most frequent causes: Flood (7), Severe Storm (3), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| April 2026 | Flood | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| April 2020 | Flood | Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| January 2016 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| 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 |
| August 2005 | Fire | School Fire |
| January 1997 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms, Land & Muds Slides,Flooding |
Showing the 10 most recent of 15 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Garfield County?
Garfield County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 1.6 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 2th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Garfield County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Wildfire (Low, $195K EAL), Avalanche (Very Low, $2K EAL), Landslide (Very Low, $3K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Garfield County compare to other Washington counties?
Garfield County ranks #39 of 39 Washington counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Garfield County had?
FEMA records 15 federal disaster declarations for Garfield County since 1964, most often 7 for flood events and 3 for severe storm 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. Garfield County's $2M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.