Whatcom County
Washington — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
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
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 |
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.
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.