Whatcom County, Washington Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · WA
MediumComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 91th
Whatcom County faces medium composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 91.0, 91th national percentile), driven primarily by avalanche and earthquake exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $111M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Whatcom County carries a medium composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 91.0 out of 100 — placing it in the 91st 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.
Most of Whatcom County's expected losses come from avalanche (fast-moving snow and debris sliding down steep mountain slopes) at Very High risk — $7M in expected annual loss and about 0.50 events per year; earthquake (ground shaking from sudden movement along geologic faults) at Medium risk — $51M in expected annual loss and about 0.02 events per year; and landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Medium risk — $559K in expected annual loss and about 2.03 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $111M in expected annual loss for a population of 227K.
Beyond physical exposure, Whatcom 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 federal record bears this out: Whatcom County has received 27 federal disaster declarations since 1971, including 13 for flood events and 6 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, Whatcom County ranks #10 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Avalanche | Very High | 0.50 / yr | $7M |
| Earthquake | Medium | 0.02 / yr | $51M |
| Landslide | Medium | 2.03 / yr | $559K |
| Ice Storm | Very High | 0.53 / yr | $3M |
| Volcanic Activity | Medium | 0.00 / yr | $128K |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 0.18 / yr | $40M |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 0.14 / yr | $6M |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 37.28 / yr | $276K |
| Heat Wave | Medium | 2.41 / yr | $2M |
| Coastal Flood | Medium | 3.63 / yr | $794K |
| Lightning | Medium | 8.14 / yr | $421K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $110K |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.06 / yr | $255K |
| Drought | Very Low | 5.95 / yr | $503 |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.02 / yr | $127K |
| Strong Wind | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $12K |
| Hail | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $3K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Disaster History
Whatcom County has received 27 federal disaster declarations since 1971, most recently Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides in April 2026. Most frequent causes: Flood (13), Severe Storm (6), 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 |
| January 2022 | Flood | Severe Storms, 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 |
| March 2019 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, Mudslides, Tornado |
| April 2017 | Flood | Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, Mudslides |
| October 2015 | Fire | Wildfires and Mudslides |
| October 2015 | Severe Storm | Severe Windstorm |
Showing the 10 most recent of 27 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Whatcom County?
Whatcom County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 91.0 out of 100, placing it in the Medium category and the 91th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Whatcom County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Avalanche (Very High, $7M EAL), Earthquake (Medium, $51M EAL), Landslide (Medium, $559K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Whatcom County compare to other Washington counties?
Whatcom County ranks #10 of 39 Washington counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a medium rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Whatcom County had?
FEMA records 27 federal disaster declarations for Whatcom County since 1971, most often 13 for flood events and 6 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. Whatcom County's $111M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.