Kittitas County
Washington — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
MediumComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 89th
Kittitas County faces medium composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 89.1, 89th national percentile), driven primarily by wildfire and landslide exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $78M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Wildfire | High | 0.03 / yr | $42M |
| Landslide | High | 2.34 / yr | $657K |
| Avalanche | Very High | 0.33 / yr | $5M |
| Earthquake | Medium | 0.01 / yr | $11M |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $1K |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 0.61 / yr | $16M |
| Heat Wave | Low | 3.62 / yr | $768K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 0.25 / yr | $2M |
| Winter Weather | Low | 21.98 / yr | $71K |
| Lightning | Low | 8.78 / yr | $155K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.19 / yr | $20K |
| Drought | Very Low | 15.80 / yr | $1K |
| Hail | Very Low | 0.08 / yr | $47K |
| Strong Wind | Very Low | 0.08 / yr | $61K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.06 / yr | $38K |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Kittitas County?
Kittitas County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 89.1 out of 100, placing it in the Medium category and the 89th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Kittitas County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Wildfire (High, $42M EAL), Landslide (High, $657K EAL), Avalanche (Very High, $5M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Kittitas County compare to other Washington counties?
Kittitas County ranks #17 of 39 Washington counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a medium 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. Kittitas County's $78M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.