Grays Harbor County, Washington Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · WA
HighComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 97th
Grays Harbor County faces high composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 97.0, 97th national percentile), driven primarily by tsunami and coastal flood exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $212M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Grays Harbor County is high, with a National Risk Index score of 97.0 out of 100 — placing it in the 97th national percentile and in the upper tier of natural-disaster risk nationally. The score blends Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across all 18 FEMA hazard types.
Risk here concentrates in tsunami (series of ocean waves triggered by undersea earthquakes or landslides) at Very High risk — $121M in expected annual loss and about 0.13 events per year; coastal flood (seawater inundation from storm surge, high tides, and rising sea levels) at Very High risk — $24M in expected annual loss and about 10.13 events per year; and earthquake (ground shaking from sudden movement along geologic faults) at High risk — $47M in expected annual loss and about 0.02 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $212M in expected annual loss for a population of 75K.
Beyond physical exposure, Grays Harbor 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.
The county's disaster history tells the same story: Grays Harbor County has received 35 federal disaster declarations since 1964, including 16 for flood events and 13 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, Grays Harbor County ranks #4 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Tsunami | Very High | 0.13 / yr | $121M |
| Coastal Flood | Very High | 10.13 / yr | $24M |
| Earthquake | High | 0.02 / yr | $47M |
| Landslide | Medium | 11.54 / yr | $113K |
| Ice Storm | High | 0.56 / yr | $604K |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 0.21 / yr | $19M |
| Heat Wave | Low | 1.98 / yr | $451K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 6.79 / yr | $36K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $132 |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $15K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 5.13 / yr | $39K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.07 / yr | $90K |
| Drought | Very Low | 1.39 / yr | $33 |
| Strong Wind | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $42K |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $1 |
| Hail | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $3K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Disaster History
Grays Harbor County has received 35 federal disaster declarations since 1964, most recently Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides in April 2026. Most frequent causes: Flood (16), Severe Storm (13), 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 |
| March 2022 | Flood | Severe Winter Storms, Snowstorms, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding |
| April 2021 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm, 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 |
| March 2019 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, Mudslides, Tornado |
| February 2016 | Flood | Severe Winter Storm, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, Mudslides, and a T |
Showing the 10 most recent of 35 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Grays Harbor County?
Grays Harbor County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 97.0 out of 100, placing it in the High category and the 97th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Grays Harbor County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Tsunami (Very High, $121M EAL), Coastal Flood (Very High, $24M EAL), Earthquake (High, $47M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Grays Harbor County compare to other Washington counties?
Grays Harbor County ranks #4 of 39 Washington counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a high rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Grays Harbor County had?
FEMA records 35 federal disaster declarations for Grays Harbor County since 1964, most often 16 for flood events and 13 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. Grays Harbor County's $212M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.