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

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 Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Jefferson County, Washington

Jefferson County's Natural Disaster Risk

Jefferson County scores 64.38 on the composite risk scale, earning a Relatively Low rating and sitting below Washington's state average of 70.01. The county's lower overall exposure reflects its Olympic Peninsula location and reduced earthquake and flood risks compared to Puget Sound peers.

Where Jefferson Ranks in Washington

Jefferson County ranks in the lower-middle range among Washington's 39 counties for natural disaster risk, with a score of 64.38 below the state average. The county's risk profile is notably safer than most Puget Sound and coastal counties.

Compared to Your Neighbors

Jefferson County's risk (64.38) is significantly lower than nearby Island County (77.99) and Grays Harbor (96.98), making it the safest in its coastal region. However, earthquake exposure at 95.01 remains substantial despite the county's favorable overall ranking.

Your Top Threat: Earthquake Risk

Earthquake risk dominates Jefferson County's hazard profile at 95.01, reflecting proximity to the Cascadia Subduction Zone and Juan de Fuca plate boundary. Flood risk (64.40) is moderate due to coastal and river conditions, while wildfire exposure remains low at 23.51 because of temperate rainforest climate.

Prioritize Earthquake Protection

Jefferson County residents should secure earthquake insurance as the primary disaster coverage and retrofit homes to current seismic standards. Verify flood insurance on properties near rivers and coastal areas, though earthquake preparedness is the higher priority.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Jefferson County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    EarthquakePrepare
    95th percentile
  2. #2
    FloodPrepare
    64th percentile
  3. #3
    WildfirePrepare
    24th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Jefferson County

Risk Verdict

Jefferson County sits below the national average for natural disaster exposure, ranking at the 64th percentile across all U.S. counties. Understanding the specific hazards behind Jefferson County's ranking helps residents prioritize where to direct emergency planning efforts.

Hazard Breakdown

Earthquake risk is Jefferson County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 95th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Flood ranks second at the 64th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include wildfire (24th percentile), tornado (10th percentile).

Preparedness Context

At the 95th percentile nationally for earthquake risk, Jefferson County is in a zone where a post-earthquake communications plan matters almost as much as pre-earthquake structural preparation — phone networks are typically congested for hours after a significant event. Alongside earthquake exposure, Jefferson County's flood risk at the 64th percentile nationally reinforces the value of maintaining a household emergency supply cache usable for multiple hazard scenarios. For Jefferson County households, the three highest-impact earthquake preparedness actions are: (1) anchor heavy furniture and water heaters, (2) store three days of water at one gallon per person per day, and (3) identify a family reunification plan for the post-quake communication blackout period.

Regional Context

Jefferson County is 5.6 composite risk points below the Washington state mean, meaning most other Washington counties face higher natural hazard exposure.

Is your household prepared for Jefferson 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 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 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.

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