riskbycounty
FEMA NRI 1.19.0Updated Nov 2023 · Coverage 2014–2023Methodology

Asotin County Disaster Risk

Asotin County, Washington

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

18th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#37

of 39 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

39th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 39% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Moderate

Higher than 89% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 7% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 33% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Asotin County, Washington

Asotin County ranks among safest nationally

Asotin County's composite risk score of 17.91 places it in the very low risk category, significantly outperforming the national average. This county faces minimal natural disaster exposure compared to most American communities.

Washington's lowest-risk county

Asotin County's score of 17.91 ranks it as the safest county in Washington relative to the state average of 70.01. The county benefits from geographic and climatic factors that shield it from most major natural hazards.

Exceptionally safe compared to neighbors

Asotin County (17.91) faces substantially lower risk than neighboring Columbia County (8.56) and Adams County (23.22), though it's the state's safest overall. The county's remote northeast location provides natural protection from the earthquake and flood hazards that impact western Washington.

Wildfire dominates Asotin's hazard profile

Wildfire risk reaches 89.38 in Asotin County, representing the clear dominant threat despite the county's overall very low composite score. Flood risk (38.52) and earthquake risk (32.73) remain secondary concerns, with tornado risk minimal at 6.87.

Wildfire insurance essential for homeowners

Asotin County residents should prioritize wildfire coverage despite the county's generally low risk profile. Adding a wildfire endorsement to your homeowners policy provides critical protection for your home against the county's primary natural hazard threat.

Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Asotin County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    89th percentile
  2. #2
    FloodPrepare
    39th percentile
  3. #3
    EarthquakePrepare
    33th percentile

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)

Risk Advisory: Asotin County

Risk Verdict

Natural disaster exposure in Asotin County is lower than roughly three-quarters of U.S. counties, with a composite score at the 18th percentile. Residents of Asotin County can use the 18th percentile ranking as a baseline, while recognizing that individual properties may still lie in specific hazard zones that differ from the county average.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is Asotin County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 89th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Flood ranks second at the 39th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (33th percentile), tornado (7th percentile).

Preparedness Context

At the 89th percentile nationally for wildfire, Asotin County residents should verify whether their insurance policy includes replacement cost coverage for structures and whether the insurer still writes new policies in this fire-risk zone. A secondary flood exposure at the 39th percentile nationally means Asotin County residents face hazards from two distinct natural peril categories during different seasons. Local USFS or Cal Fire (where applicable) fire risk maps and seasonal Red Flag Warning alerts from the National Weather Service are two free resources Asotin County residents can use to stay ahead of rapidly changing wildfire conditions.

Regional Context

Asotin County is 52.1 composite risk points below the Washington state mean, meaning most other Washington counties face higher natural hazard exposure.

Is your household prepared for Asotin County's hazards?

Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.

FEMA Ready Guide →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the natural disaster risk in Asotin County, WA?
Asotin County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 18th percentile nationally out of 3,144 counties. This composite score reflects the county's overall exposure to natural hazards including floods, wildfires, tornadoes, earthquakes, and hurricanes, weighted by expected annual loss and social vulnerability.
What types of natural hazards affect Asotin County?
Asotin County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (89th percentile), flooding (39th percentile), earthquake (33th percentile), tornado (7th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 89th percentile nationally. These scores are derived from FEMA's National Risk Index, which analyzes expected annual loss, social vulnerability, and community resilience for each hazard type.
How does Asotin County risk compare to the Washington average?
Asotin County's composite risk percentile is 18th, compared to the Washington state average of 70th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Asotin County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Washington.
Is Asotin County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Asotin County's wildfire risk is at the 89th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Asotin County is at the 39th percentile.
How is natural disaster risk measured?
FEMA's National Risk Index (NRI) calculates risk scores for 18 natural hazard types across all U.S. counties and census tracts. The composite score combines Expected Annual Loss (estimated dollar losses from each hazard), Social Vulnerability (demographic factors affecting disaster impact), and Community Resilience (ability to recover). Percentile scores rank each county against all 3,144 U.S. counties, and risk ratings range from Very Low to Very High.
Is Asotin County a safe place to live?
Asotin County's composite risk score of 18th percentile is below the Washington state average of 70th percentile, indicating relatively lower exposure to natural hazards. However, no county is completely risk-free. The primary hazard type is wildfire at the 89th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

Data Source

Risk data sourced from the FEMA National Risk Index (NRI). Risk scores are relative rankings (0–100) across all US counties — not absolute risk measures. Higher scores indicate higher relative risk compared to other counties.

Disclaimer: This data is informational only. It is not financial, insurance, or legal advice. Always consult a qualified professional before making insurance or real estate decisions.