Grant County, Washington Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · WA
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 77th
Grant County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 76.9, 77th national percentile), driven primarily by wildfire and cold wave exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $29M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Grant County carries a low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 76.9 out of 100 — placing it in the 77th national percentile and below the national average 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 wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Medium risk — $4M in expected annual loss and about 0.01 events per year; cold wave (prolonged spells of dangerously low temperatures) at High risk — $5M in expected annual loss and about 1.07 events per year; and earthquake (ground shaking from sudden movement along geologic faults) at Low risk — $4M in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $29M in expected annual loss for a population of 99K.
Beyond physical exposure, Grant County has a high social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a very low community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). That combination — a more vulnerable population with limited resilience — can amplify the human cost of any given event.
The county's disaster history tells the same story: Grant County has received 12 federal disaster declarations since 1977, including 4 for fire events and 2 for biological events. The most recent was Baird Springs Fire (fire), declared in July 2023.
Among 39 Washington counties, Grant County ranks #22 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Wildfire | Medium | 0.01 / yr | $4M |
| Cold Wave | High | 1.07 / yr | $5M |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $4M |
| Heat Wave | Medium | 4.73 / yr | $2M |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $991 |
| Landslide | Low | 0.54 / yr | $11K |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 0.36 / yr | $14M |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 9.75 / yr | $102K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $1K |
| Hail | Low | 0.11 / yr | $267K |
| Lightning | Low | 9.24 / yr | $184K |
| Drought | Low | 19.27 / yr | $26K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 0.17 / yr | $234K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.10 / yr | $120K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $7K |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Disaster History
Grant County has received 12 federal disaster declarations since 1977, most recently Baird Springs Fire in July 2023. Most frequent causes: Fire (4), Biological (2), Severe Storm (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| July 2023 | Fire | Baird Springs Fire |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| August 2018 | Fire | Grass Valley Fire |
| July 2018 | Fire | Buckshot Fire |
| April 2017 | Flood | Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, Mudslides |
| September 2012 | Fire | Barker Canyon Fire |
| February 2007 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| September 2005 | Coastal Storm | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| January 1997 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms, Land & Muds Slides,Flooding |
Showing the 10 most recent of 12 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Grant County?
Grant County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 76.9 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 77th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Grant County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Wildfire (Medium, $4M EAL), Cold Wave (High, $5M EAL), Earthquake (Low, $4M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Grant County compare to other Washington counties?
Grant County ranks #22 of 39 Washington counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Grant County had?
FEMA records 12 federal disaster declarations for Grant County since 1977, most often 4 for fire events and 2 for biological events. The most recent was Baird Springs Fire, declared in July 2023.
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. Grant County's $29M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.