Skamania County, Washington Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · WA
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 50th
Skamania County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 49.7, 50th national percentile), driven primarily by volcanic activity and wildfire exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $19M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Skamania County at low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 49.7 out of 100 — placing it in the 50th national percentile and below the national average 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 — $2M in expected annual loss and about 0.01 events per year; wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Medium risk — $3M in expected annual loss and about 0.01 events per year; and earthquake (ground shaking from sudden movement along geologic faults) at Low risk — $4M in expected annual loss and about 0.01 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $19M in expected annual loss for a population of 12K.
Beyond physical exposure, Skamania County has a very low 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.
The county's disaster history tells the same story: Skamania County has received 29 federal disaster declarations since 1964, including 10 for severe storm events and 9 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, Skamania County ranks #31 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Volcanic Activity | High | 0.01 / yr | $2M |
| Wildfire | Medium | 0.01 / yr | $3M |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.01 / yr | $4M |
| Landslide | Low | 2.77 / yr | $22K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 0.53 / yr | $2M |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.01 / yr | $8M |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $473 |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 3.39 / yr | $258K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.64 / yr | $38K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 40.15 / yr | $26K |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.18 / yr | $33 |
| Strong Wind | Very Low | 0.05 / yr | $139K |
| Drought | Very Low | 5.01 / yr | $8 |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.10 / yr | $29K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 6.37 / yr | $17K |
| Hail | Very Low | 0.06 / yr | $7K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Disaster History
Skamania 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: Severe Storm (10), Flood (9), Fire (5).
| 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 |
| July 2023 | Fire | Tunnel Five Fire |
| January 2023 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| October 2022 | Fire | Nakia Creek Fire |
| 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 |
| February 2021 | Fire | Wildfires and Straight-Line Winds |
| 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 Skamania County?
Skamania County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 49.7 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 50th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Skamania County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Volcanic Activity (High, $2M EAL), Wildfire (Medium, $3M EAL), Earthquake (Low, $4M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Skamania County compare to other Washington counties?
Skamania County ranks #31 of 39 Washington counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Skamania County had?
FEMA records 29 federal disaster declarations for Skamania County since 1964, most often 10 for severe storm events and 9 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. Skamania County's $19M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.