Garfield County Disaster Risk
Garfield County, Washington
FEMA Risk Rating
Very Low
National Percentile
2th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#39
of 39 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
10th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Very Low
Higher than 10% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 69% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Very Low
Higher than 2% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Very Low
Higher than 19% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Garfield County, Washington
Garfield County's Natural Disaster Risk
Garfield County scores just 1.59 on the composite risk scale, earning a Very Low rating and performing dramatically better than Washington's state average of 70.01. The county represents one of the safest natural disaster environments in the state.
Where Garfield Ranks in Washington
Garfield County ranks as the lowest-risk county in Washington for composite natural disaster hazards, with a score of just 1.59 far below all peers. This exceptional safety status reflects the county's geography, with minimal exposure to earthquakes, floods, and tornado activity.
Compared to Your Neighbors
Garfield County's risk (1.59) is incomparably lower than every neighboring county in southeastern Washington, including Ferry (51.65), Douglas (74.08), and Columbia counties. The county's isolated position in the Wallowa Valley shields it from major seismic and hydrologic hazards.
Minimal Risk Exposure Overall
Garfield County's hazard profile is remarkably benign, with wildfire as the only moderate concern at 69.21. All other risks—flood (10.34), earthquake (18.86), and tornado (2.10)—are well below state and national averages, making natural disasters a minimal planning concern.
Standard Insurance Is Sufficient
Given Garfield County's very low disaster risk, basic homeowners insurance satisfies standard protection needs without specialized flood or earthquake coverage. Residents can focus disaster preparedness efforts on other community safety priorities.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Garfield County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Garfield County
Risk Verdict
Garfield County carries a low natural disaster risk burden, scoring at the 2th percentile under the FEMA National Risk Index. Residents of Garfield County can use the 2th 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 Garfield County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 69th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 19th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (10th percentile), tornado (2th percentile).
Preparedness Context
Wildfire ranks as Garfield County's primary hazard at the 69th percentile nationally. For Garfield County households in high-WUI areas, go-bag readiness — the ability to leave within 15 minutes — is more important than shelter-in-place planning for most residential properties. The county's earthquake exposure at the 19th percentile nationally complements the wildfire risk — saturating rain after burn scarring often triggers secondary flood and debris flow events. Garfield County county's local emergency management office publishes community-specific wildfire risk assessments and evacuation zone maps; households should review their zone assignment and sign up for zone-specific alerts.
Regional Context
Compared to the Washington county average, Garfield County's composite score runs 68.4 points lower — a gap that reflects the county's relatively modest hazard profile within its state context.
Is your household prepared for Garfield County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Garfield County, WA?
What types of natural hazards affect Garfield County?
How does Garfield County risk compare to the Washington average?
Is Garfield County at risk for wildfire?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Is Garfield County a safe place to live?
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.