Wahkiakum County, Washington Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · WA
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 19th
Wahkiakum County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 19.3, 19th national percentile), driven primarily by landslide and earthquake exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $6M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Wahkiakum County is very low, with a National Risk Index score of 19.3 out of 100 — placing it in the 19th 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.
Most of Wahkiakum County's expected losses come from landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Low risk — $14K in expected annual loss and about 1.80 events per year; earthquake (ground shaking from sudden movement along geologic faults) at Low risk — $977K in expected annual loss and about 0.02 events per year; and coastal flood (seawater inundation from storm surge, high tides, and rising sea levels) at Medium risk — $931K in expected annual loss and about 4.36 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $6M in expected annual loss for a population of 4K.
Beyond physical exposure, Wahkiakum County has a high social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a medium community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). That combination — a more vulnerable population with limited resilience — can amplify the human cost of any given event.
The federal record bears this out: Wahkiakum County has received 33 federal disaster declarations since 1964, including 14 for flood events and 13 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, Wahkiakum County ranks #36 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Landslide | Low | 1.80 / yr | $14K |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.02 / yr | $977K |
| Coastal Flood | Medium | 4.36 / yr | $931K |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $81 |
| Tsunami | Low | 0.13 / yr | $2M |
| Heat Wave | Low | 3.07 / yr | $194K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 1.36 / yr | $2M |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.84 / yr | $9K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $3K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $5 |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 0.05 / yr | $29K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.02 / yr | $11K |
| Strong Wind | Very Low | 0.03 / yr | $16K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 8.11 / yr | $1K |
| Hail | Very Low | 0.03 / yr | $1K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 5.16 / yr | $2K |
| Drought | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Disaster History
Wahkiakum County has received 33 federal disaster declarations since 1964, most recently Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides in April 2026. Most frequent causes: Flood (14), Severe Storm (13), 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 |
| 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 |
| April 2017 | Flood | Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, Mudslides |
Showing the 10 most recent of 33 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Wahkiakum County?
Wahkiakum County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 19.3 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 19th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Wahkiakum County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Landslide (Low, $14K EAL), Earthquake (Low, $977K EAL), Coastal Flood (Medium, $931K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Wahkiakum County compare to other Washington counties?
Wahkiakum County ranks #36 of 39 Washington counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Wahkiakum County had?
FEMA records 33 federal disaster declarations for Wahkiakum County since 1964, most often 14 for flood events and 13 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. Wahkiakum County's $6M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.