Stevens County, Washington Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · WA
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 60th
Stevens County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 60.3, 60th national percentile), driven primarily by wildfire and landslide exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $18M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Stevens County at low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 60.3 out of 100 — placing it in the 60th 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.
The county's risk is driven primarily by wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Medium risk — $5M in expected annual loss and about 0.01 events per year; landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Medium risk — $147K in expected annual loss and about 1.12 events per year; and riverine flood (rivers and streams overflowing their banks after heavy rain or snowmelt) at Low risk — $11M in expected annual loss and about 0.64 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $18M in expected annual loss for a population of 46K.
Beyond physical exposure, Stevens 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.
The federal record bears this out: Stevens County has received 21 federal disaster declarations since 1974, including 9 for fire events and 4 for severe storm events. The most recent was Ford Corkscrew Fire (fire), declared in August 2021.
Among 39 Washington counties, Stevens County ranks #28 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Wildfire | Medium | 0.01 / yr | $5M |
| Landslide | Medium | 1.12 / yr | $147K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.64 / yr | $11M |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 1.05 / yr | $2M |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 24.36 / yr | $85K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 3.58 / yr | $540K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.09 / yr | $67K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $157K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.03 / yr | $257 |
| Drought | Very Low | 12.16 / yr | $170 |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.09 / yr | $86K |
| Strong Wind | Very Low | 0.19 / yr | $82K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 20.59 / yr | $29K |
| Hail | Very Low | 0.20 / yr | $18K |
| 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
Stevens County has received 21 federal disaster declarations since 1974, most recently Ford Corkscrew Fire in August 2021. Most frequent causes: Fire (9), Severe Storm (4), Flood (3).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| August 2021 | Fire | Ford Corkscrew Fire |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| January 2016 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| October 2015 | Fire | Wildfires and Mudslides |
| August 2015 | Fire | Wildfires |
| August 2015 | Fire | Renner Fire |
| August 2015 | Fire | Stevens County Fire Complex |
| July 2014 | Fire | Lake Spokane Fire |
| August 2010 | Fire | Slide Creek Wildfire |
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 Stevens County?
Stevens County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 60.3 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 60th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Stevens County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Wildfire (Medium, $5M EAL), Landslide (Medium, $147K EAL), Riverine Flood (Low, $11M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Stevens County compare to other Washington counties?
Stevens County ranks #28 of 39 Washington counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Stevens County had?
FEMA records 21 federal disaster declarations for Stevens County since 1974, most often 9 for fire events and 4 for severe storm events. The most recent was Ford Corkscrew Fire, declared in August 2021.
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. Stevens County's $18M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.