Pend Oreille County, Washington Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · WA
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 28th
Pend Oreille County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 28.0, 28th national percentile), driven primarily by landslide and wildfire exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $9M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Pend Oreille County is very low, with a National Risk Index score of 28.0 out of 100 — placing it in the 28th national percentile and among the lowest-risk counties in the country. 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 landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Medium risk — $56K in expected annual loss and about 0.68 events per year; wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Low risk — $301K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year; and riverine flood (rivers and streams overflowing their banks after heavy rain or snowmelt) at Low risk — $7M in expected annual loss and about 0.46 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $9M in expected annual loss for a population of 13K.
Beyond physical exposure, Pend Oreille County has a medium social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a low community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). Both measures sit toward the lower end, indicating relatively modest population sensitivity.
History supports the rating: Pend Oreille County has received 21 federal disaster declarations since 1974, including 6 for severe storm events and 5 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, Pend Oreille County ranks #34 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Landslide | Medium | 0.68 / yr | $56K |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $301K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.46 / yr | $7M |
| Winter Weather | Low | 24.37 / yr | $69K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 1.05 / yr | $750K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.03 / yr | $285 |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.07 / yr | $39K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 3.58 / yr | $155K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $57K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 0.18 / yr | $196K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 22.28 / yr | $51K |
| Drought | Very Low | 13.61 / yr | $39 |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.04 / yr | $25K |
| Hail | Very Low | 0.20 / yr | $4K |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Disaster History
Pend Oreille County has received 21 federal disaster declarations since 1974, most recently Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides in April 2026. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (6), Flood (5), Fire (4).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| April 2026 | Flood | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| April 2021 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm, 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 |
| April 2017 | Flood | Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, Mudslides |
| January 2016 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| October 2015 | Fire | Wildfires and Mudslides |
| August 2015 | Fire | Wildfires |
| March 2009 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm and Record and Near Record Snow |
Showing the 10 most recent of 21 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Pend Oreille County?
Pend Oreille County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 28.0 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 28th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Pend Oreille County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Landslide (Medium, $56K EAL), Wildfire (Low, $301K EAL), Riverine Flood (Low, $7M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Pend Oreille County compare to other Washington counties?
Pend Oreille County ranks #34 of 39 Washington counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Pend Oreille County had?
FEMA records 21 federal disaster declarations for Pend Oreille County since 1974, most often 6 for severe storm events and 5 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. Pend Oreille County's $9M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.