Kitsap County, Washington Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · WA
MediumComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 92th
Kitsap County faces medium composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 92.3, 92th national percentile), driven primarily by landslide and earthquake exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $158M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Kitsap County at medium composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 92.3 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.
Most of Kitsap County's expected losses come from landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at High risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 2.80 events per year; earthquake (ground shaking from sudden movement along geologic faults) at High risk — $120M in expected annual loss and about 0.03 events per year; and heat wave (prolonged periods of extreme heat that threaten health and infrastructure) at Medium risk — $4M in expected annual loss and about 3.96 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $158M in expected annual loss for a population of 276K.
Beyond physical exposure, Kitsap 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.
The federal record bears this out: Kitsap County has received 16 federal disaster declarations since 1965, including 6 for flood events and 4 for severe storm events. The most recent was Covid-19 Pandemic (biological), declared in March 2020.
Among 39 Washington counties, Kitsap County ranks #8 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Landslide | High | 2.80 / yr | $2M |
| Earthquake | High | 0.03 / yr | $120M |
| Heat Wave | Medium | 3.96 / yr | $4M |
| Coastal Flood | Medium | 3.18 / yr | $3M |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 0.04 / yr | $25M |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $117 |
| Tsunami | Low | 0.06 / yr | $4M |
| Winter Weather | Low | 6.29 / yr | $115K |
| Lightning | Low | 7.61 / yr | $363K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.58 / yr | $104K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $34K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.02 / yr | $429K |
| Strong Wind | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $86K |
| Hail | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $15K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $0 |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Drought | Very Low | 0.22 / yr | $0 |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Disaster History
Kitsap County has received 16 federal disaster declarations since 1965, most recently Covid-19 Pandemic in March 2020. Most frequent causes: Flood (6), Severe Storm (4), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| December 2007 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| May 2006 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, Tidal Surge, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| September 2005 | Coastal Storm | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| November 2003 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| March 2001 | Earthquake | Earthquake |
| April 1997 | Flood | Heavy Rains, Snow Melt, Flooding, Land & Mud Slides |
| January 1997 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms, Land & Muds Slides,Flooding |
| February 1996 | Flood | High Winds, Severe Storms and Flooding |
Showing the 10 most recent of 16 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Kitsap County?
Kitsap County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 92.3 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 Kitsap County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Landslide (High, $2M EAL), Earthquake (High, $120M EAL), Heat Wave (Medium, $4M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Kitsap County compare to other Washington counties?
Kitsap County ranks #8 of 39 Washington counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a medium rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Kitsap County had?
FEMA records 16 federal disaster declarations for Kitsap County since 1965, most often 6 for flood events and 4 for severe storm events. The most recent was Covid-19 Pandemic, declared in March 2020.
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. Kitsap County's $158M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.