riskbycounty
FEMA National Risk Index

Jefferson County Disaster Risk

Jefferson County, Washington

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

64th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#26

of 39 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

64th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 64% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 24% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 10% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively High

Higher than 95% of US counties

Risk Advisory: Jefferson County

Risk Verdict

Jefferson County shows a relatively low overall disaster risk profile, scoring in the 64th 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 Jefferson County, scoring in the 95th percentile nationally. It is followed by flood risk at the 64th percentile. Additional hazards include wildfire (24th), tornado (10th).

Preparedness Context

With earthquake risk as the top concern, Jefferson 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

Jefferson County is notably safer than the average county in Washington. Its composite risk score is 5.6 points lower than the state average, indicating below-average exposure to natural hazards relative to other counties in the state.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the natural disaster risk in Jefferson County, WA?
Jefferson County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 64th 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 Jefferson County?
Jefferson County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: earthquake (95th percentile), flooding (64th percentile), wildfire (24th percentile), tornado (10th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is earthquake at the 95th 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 Jefferson County risk compare to the Washington average?
Jefferson County's composite risk percentile is 64th, compared to the Washington state average of 70th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Jefferson County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Washington.
Is Jefferson County at risk for earthquake?
Yes, Jefferson County's earthquake risk is at the 95th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Jefferson County is at the 64th 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 Jefferson County a safe place to live?
Jefferson County's composite risk score of 64th 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 earthquake at the 95th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Walla Walla County

Washington

-4.0

Relatively Low

60th percentile

Stevens County

Washington

-4.0

Relatively Low

60th percentile

Franklin County

Washington

+8.1

Relatively Low

72th 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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