Pacific County, Washington Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · WA
MediumComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 93th
Pacific County faces medium composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 92.7, 93th national percentile), driven primarily by tsunami and earthquake exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $106M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Pacific County carries a medium composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 92.7 out of 100 — placing it in the 93rd 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.
The county's risk is driven primarily by tsunami (series of ocean waves triggered by undersea earthquakes or landslides) at Very High risk — $84M in expected annual loss and about 0.13 events per year; earthquake (ground shaking from sudden movement along geologic faults) at Medium risk — $12M in expected annual loss and about 0.01 events per year; and landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Low risk — $24K in expected annual loss and about 4.43 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $106M in expected annual loss for a population of 23K.
Beyond physical exposure, Pacific 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.
History supports the rating: Pacific County has received 27 federal disaster declarations since 1964, including 11 for flood events and 10 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, Pacific County ranks #7 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Tsunami | Very High | 0.13 / yr | $84M |
| Earthquake | Medium | 0.01 / yr | $12M |
| Landslide | Low | 4.43 / yr | $24K |
| Coastal Flood | Medium | 6.60 / yr | $1M |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.36 / yr | $8M |
| Heat Wave | Low | 2.30 / yr | $244K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $10K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.76 / yr | $12K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $20 |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 0.05 / yr | $118K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 7.53 / yr | $9K |
| Drought | Very Low | 1.35 / yr | $10 |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $0 |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.05 / yr | $31K |
| Strong Wind | Very Low | 0.02 / yr | $33K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 5.03 / yr | $12K |
| Hail | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $2K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Disaster History
Pacific County has received 27 federal disaster declarations since 1964, most recently Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides in April 2026. Most frequent causes: Flood (11), Severe Storm (10), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| April 2026 | 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 |
| March 2009 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm and Record and Near Record Snow |
Showing the 10 most recent of 27 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Pacific County?
Pacific County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 92.7 out of 100, placing it in the Medium category and the 93th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Pacific County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Tsunami (Very High, $84M EAL), Earthquake (Medium, $12M EAL), Landslide (Low, $24K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Pacific County compare to other Washington counties?
Pacific County ranks #7 of 39 Washington counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a medium rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Pacific County had?
FEMA records 27 federal disaster declarations for Pacific County since 1964, most often 11 for flood events and 10 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. Pacific County's $106M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.