riskbycounty
FEMA National Risk Index

Kittitas County Disaster Risk

Kittitas County, Washington

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Moderate

National Percentile

89th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#17

of 39 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

75th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 75% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very High

Higher than 100% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 7% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Moderate

Higher than 94% of US counties

Risk Advisory: Kittitas County

Risk Verdict

Kittitas County has a relatively moderate overall disaster risk profile, scoring in the 89th 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

Wildfire risk is the dominant hazard for Kittitas County, scoring in the 100th percentile nationally. It is followed by earthquake risk at the 94th percentile. Additional hazards include flood (75th), tornado (7th).

Preparedness Context

With wildfire risk as the top concern, Kittitas County residents should create defensible space around your property, sign up for local emergency alerts, and prepare a go-bag with essential documents and medications. Secondary risks such as earthquake 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

Kittitas County is significantly riskier than the average county in Washington. Its composite risk score is 19.1 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 Kittitas County, WA?
Kittitas County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Moderate, placing it in the 89th 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 Kittitas County?
Kittitas County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (100th percentile), earthquake (94th percentile), flooding (75th percentile), tornado (7th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 100th 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 Kittitas County risk compare to the Washington average?
Kittitas County's composite risk percentile is 89th, compared to the Washington state average of 70th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Kittitas County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Washington.
Is Kittitas County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Kittitas County's wildfire risk is at the 100th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Kittitas County is at the 75th 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 Kittitas County higher risk than average?
Kittitas County's composite risk score of 89th percentile is above the Washington state average of 70th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by wildfire exposure (100th percentile), along with earthquake and 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

Okanogan County

Washington

+0.1

Relatively Moderate

89th percentile

Skagit County

Washington

-0.3

Relatively Moderate

89th percentile

Lewis 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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