Island County
Washington — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 78th
Island County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 78.0, 78th national percentile), driven primarily by landslide and earthquake exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $39M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Landslide | High | 0.40 / yr | $6M |
| Earthquake | Medium | 0.03 / yr | $22M |
| Volcanic Activity | Low | 0.00 / yr | $3K |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.34 / yr | $314K |
| Coastal Flood | Medium | 3.20 / yr | $1M |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.04 / yr | $8M |
| Cold Wave | Low | 0.16 / yr | $889K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 5.71 / yr | $56K |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.06 / yr | $402K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $20K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 0.48 / yr | $137K |
| Lightning | Low | 4.83 / yr | $88K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $85K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $2 |
| Hail | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $3K |
| Strong Wind | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $6K |
| Drought | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Island County?
Island County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 78.0 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 78th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Island County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Landslide (High, $6M EAL), Earthquake (Medium, $22M EAL), Volcanic Activity (Low, $3K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Island County compare to other Washington counties?
Island County ranks #21 of 39 Washington counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
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. Island County's $39M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.