riskbycounty
FEMA National Risk Index

Island County Disaster Risk

Island County, Washington

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

78th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#21

of 39 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

73th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 73% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 35% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 11% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively High

Higher than 96% of US counties

Risk Advisory: Island County

Risk Verdict

Island County shows a relatively low overall disaster risk profile, scoring in the 78th percentile nationally. The county faces moderate hazard exposure relative to other U.S. counties. Standard emergency preparedness is recommended, with attention to the specific hazards that dominate locally.

Hazard Breakdown

Earthquake risk is the dominant hazard for Island County, scoring in the 96th percentile nationally. It is followed by flood risk at the 73th percentile. Additional hazards include wildfire (35th), tornado (11th).

Preparedness Context

With earthquake risk as the top concern, Island 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

Island County is significantly riskier than the average county in Washington. Its composite risk score is 8 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 Island County, WA?
Island County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 78th 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 Island County?
Island County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: earthquake (96th percentile), flooding (73th percentile), wildfire (35th percentile), tornado (11th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is earthquake at the 96th 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 Island County risk compare to the Washington average?
Island County's composite risk percentile is 78th, compared to the Washington state average of 70th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Island County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Washington.
Is Island County at risk for earthquake?
Yes, Island County's earthquake risk is at the 96th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Island County is at the 73th 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 Island County higher risk than average?
Island County's composite risk score of 78th percentile is above the Washington state average of 70th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by earthquake exposure (96th percentile), along with flooding 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

Grant County

Washington

-1.0

Relatively Low

77th percentile

Douglas County

Washington

-3.9

Relatively Low

74th percentile

Klickitat County

Washington

-4.1

Relatively Low

74th 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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