Kittitas County, Washington Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · WA
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
Risk Overview
Kittitas County carries a medium composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 89.1 out of 100 — placing it in the 89th 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 Kittitas County's expected losses come from wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at High risk — $42M in expected annual loss and about 0.03 events per year; landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at High risk — $657K in expected annual loss and about 2.34 events per year; and avalanche (fast-moving snow and debris sliding down steep mountain slopes) at Very High risk — $5M in expected annual loss and about 0.33 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $78M in expected annual loss for a population of 44K.
Beyond physical exposure, Kittitas County has a medium 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: Kittitas County has received 29 federal disaster declarations since 1964, including 10 for fire events and 8 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (flood), declared in April 2026.
Among 39 Washington counties, Kittitas County ranks #17 for overall natural disaster risk.
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 |
Disaster History
Kittitas County has received 29 federal disaster declarations since 1964, most recently Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides in April 2026. Most frequent causes: Fire (10), Flood (8), Severe Storm (5).
| 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 |
| February 2021 | Fire | Wildfires and Straight-Line Winds |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| July 2018 | Fire | Ryegrass Coulee Fire |
| September 2017 | Fire | Jolly Mountain Fire |
| January 2016 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| August 2014 | Fire | Wildfires |
| August 2014 | Fire | Snag Canyon Fire |
Showing the 10 most recent of 29 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
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.
How many federally declared disasters has Kittitas County had?
FEMA records 29 federal disaster declarations for Kittitas County since 1964, most often 10 for fire events and 8 for flood 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. Kittitas County's $78M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.