Skagit County, Washington Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · WA
MediumComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 89th
Skagit County faces medium composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 88.8, 89th national percentile), driven primarily by volcanic activity and earthquake exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $81M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Skagit County is medium, with a National Risk Index score of 88.8 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.
Risk here concentrates in volcanic activity (eruptions producing ashfall, lava, and pyroclastic hazards) at High risk — $3M in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year; earthquake (ground shaking from sudden movement along geologic faults) at Medium risk — $33M in expected annual loss and about 0.04 events per year; and landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Medium risk — $83K in expected annual loss and about 2.50 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $81M in expected annual loss for a population of 129K.
Beyond physical exposure, Skagit County has a 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 county's disaster history tells the same story: Skagit County has received 29 federal disaster declarations since 1971, including 12 for flood events and 11 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, Skagit County ranks #18 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Volcanic Activity | High | 0.00 / yr | $3M |
| Earthquake | Medium | 0.04 / yr | $33M |
| Landslide | Medium | 2.50 / yr | $83K |
| Ice Storm | High | 0.45 / yr | $1M |
| Coastal Flood | High | 3.36 / yr | $7M |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 0.32 / yr | $34M |
| Avalanche | Low | 0.23 / yr | $107K |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 37.12 / yr | $162K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 2.39 / yr | $920K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $57K |
| Lightning | Low | 7.26 / yr | $250K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 0.02 / yr | $701K |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.06 / yr | $355K |
| Drought | Very Low | 4.65 / yr | $181 |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.02 / yr | $84K |
| Hail | Very Low | 0.02 / yr | $12K |
| Strong Wind | Very Low | 0.02 / yr | $6K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Disaster History
Skagit County has received 29 federal disaster declarations since 1971, most recently Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides in April 2026. Most frequent causes: Flood (12), Severe Storm (11), Biological (2).
| 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 |
| April 2024 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| January 2023 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| March 2022 | Flood | Severe Winter Storms, Snowstorms, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding |
| January 2022 | Flood | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| 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 |
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 Skagit County?
Skagit County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 88.8 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 Skagit County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Volcanic Activity (High, $3M EAL), Earthquake (Medium, $33M EAL), Landslide (Medium, $83K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Skagit County compare to other Washington counties?
Skagit County ranks #18 of 39 Washington counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a medium rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Skagit County had?
FEMA records 29 federal disaster declarations for Skagit County since 1971, most often 12 for flood events and 11 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. Skagit County's $81M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.