Whitman County, Washington Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · WA
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 40th
Whitman County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 39.8, 40th national percentile), driven primarily by landslide and wildfire exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $14M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Whitman County is very low, with a National Risk Index score of 39.8 out of 100 — placing it in the 40th 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.
Risk here concentrates in landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Medium risk — $83K in expected annual loss and about 1.99 events per year; wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Low risk — $179K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year; and cold wave (prolonged spells of dangerously low temperatures) at Medium risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 0.79 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $14M in expected annual loss for a population of 48K.
Beyond physical exposure, Whitman County has a low 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). Both measures sit toward the lower end, indicating relatively modest population sensitivity.
History supports the rating: Whitman County has received 18 federal disaster declarations since 1964, including 6 for flood events and 4 for fire events. The most recent was Wildfires (fire), declared in February 2024.
Among 39 Washington counties, Whitman County ranks #32 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Landslide | Medium | 1.99 / yr | $83K |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $179K |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 0.79 / yr | $2M |
| Heat Wave | Low | 4.21 / yr | $695K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.93 / yr | $10M |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $419K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $458 |
| Hail | Low | 0.30 / yr | $204K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.19 / yr | $60K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 17.05 / yr | $30K |
| Drought | Very Low | 14.61 / yr | $5K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 0.26 / yr | $200K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.08 / yr | $83K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 12.98 / yr | $27K |
| 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
Whitman County has received 18 federal disaster declarations since 1964, most recently Wildfires in February 2024. Most frequent causes: Flood (6), Fire (4), Severe Storm (3).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| February 2024 | Fire | Wildfires |
| February 2021 | Fire | Wildfires and Straight-Line Winds |
| September 2020 | Fire | Babb 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 |
| March 2009 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm and Record and Near Record Snow |
| September 2005 | Coastal Storm | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| January 1997 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms, Land & Muds Slides,Flooding |
| February 1996 | Flood | High Winds, Severe Storms and Flooding |
Showing the 10 most recent of 18 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Whitman County?
Whitman County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 39.8 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 40th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Whitman County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Landslide (Medium, $83K EAL), Wildfire (Low, $179K EAL), Cold Wave (Medium, $2M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Whitman County compare to other Washington counties?
Whitman County ranks #32 of 39 Washington counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Whitman County had?
FEMA records 18 federal disaster declarations for Whitman County since 1964, most often 6 for flood events and 4 for fire events. The most recent was Wildfires, declared in February 2024.
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. Whitman County's $14M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.