riskbycounty
FEMA National Risk Index

Cowlitz County Disaster Risk

Cowlitz County, Washington

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Moderate

National Percentile

90th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#12

of 39 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

88th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Moderate

Higher than 88% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 61% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 21% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively High

Higher than 97% of US counties

Risk Advisory: Cowlitz County

Risk Verdict

Cowlitz County has a relatively moderate overall disaster risk profile, scoring in the 90th percentile nationally. While not in the highest tier, this county faces meaningful hazard exposure. Residents are encouraged to understand their specific risks and maintain emergency supplies.

Hazard Breakdown

Earthquake risk is the dominant hazard for Cowlitz County, scoring in the 97th percentile nationally. It is followed by flood risk at the 88th percentile. Additional hazards include wildfire (61th), tornado (21th).

Preparedness Context

With earthquake risk as the top concern, Cowlitz County residents should secure heavy furniture and appliances, know how to shut off utilities, and keep emergency supplies accessible. Secondary risks such as flood also warrant attention in household and community preparedness planning. FEMA recommends all households maintain at least 72 hours of food, water, and medication supplies regardless of specific hazard exposure.

Regional Context

Cowlitz County is significantly riskier than the average county in Washington. Its composite risk score is 20.3 points higher than the state average, meaning residents face above-average exposure to natural hazards compared to their neighbors.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the natural disaster risk in Cowlitz County, WA?
Cowlitz County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Moderate, placing it in the 90th 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 Cowlitz County?
Cowlitz County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: earthquake (97th percentile), flooding (88th percentile), wildfire (61th percentile), tornado (21th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is earthquake at the 97th 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 Cowlitz County risk compare to the Washington average?
Cowlitz County's composite risk percentile is 90th, compared to the Washington state average of 70th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Cowlitz County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Washington.
Is Cowlitz County at risk for earthquake?
Yes, Cowlitz County's earthquake risk is at the 97th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Cowlitz County is at the 88th 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.
Why is Cowlitz County higher risk than average?
Cowlitz County's composite risk score of 90th percentile is above the Washington state average of 70th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by earthquake exposure (97th percentile), along with flooding and wildfire risk. Geographic location, terrain, climate patterns, and proximity to flood zones or fault lines all influence a county's risk profile.

Counties with Similar Risk

Spokane County

Washington

-0.3

Relatively Moderate

90th percentile

Chelan County

Washington

+0.6

Relatively Moderate

91th percentile

Clallam County

Washington

-0.6

Relatively Moderate

90th percentile

By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & 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.

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