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 Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Kittitas County, Washington
Kittitas County manages relatively moderate risk
Kittitas County's composite risk score of 89.12 ranks in the "Relatively Moderate" category, above the national average but not extreme. The score reflects a unique hazard mix: catastrophic wildfire risk paired with significant earthquake and flood threats.
Mid-range risk profile for Washington
Kittitas County scores 89.12 against Washington's average of 70.01, placing it among the state's higher-risk counties. This elevated score is driven primarily by wildfire exposure in this transition zone between Puget Sound and the drier interior.
Kittitas shares risk with surrounding counties
Kittitas County (89.12) sits between Lewis County (89.69) to the southwest and Okanogan County (89.19) to the north, forming a band of elevated wildfire and earthquake risk across central Washington. All three counties face similar seismic threats and water-related hazards.
Wildfire, earthquake, and flood threats
Kittitas County faces extreme wildfire risk (99.68), the highest among its major hazards, affecting thousands of homes in forested and semi-arid zones. Earthquakes (93.86) and flooding (74.78) pose secondary but serious threats, while tornadoes (7.41) are rare.
Wildfire, earthquake, and flood preparation
Kittitas County residents must combine wildfire defensibility with earthquake and flood insurance: clear vegetation from home perimeters, install metal roofing if possible, and secure separate earthquake and flood policies. Properties near waterways or in forest-interface zones face compounded risks requiring comprehensive coverage.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Kittitas County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Kittitas County
Risk Verdict
Kittitas County registers a moderately elevated natural disaster risk, ranking at the 89th percentile across all U.S. counties. High composite risk signals that multiple hazard types are elevated simultaneously; planning for more than one scenario is important in Kittitas County.
Hazard Breakdown
Wildfire risk is Kittitas County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 100th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 94th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (75th percentile), tornado (7th percentile).
Preparedness Context
Wildfire ranks as Kittitas County's primary hazard at the 100th percentile nationally. For Kittitas 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. Alongside wildfire, earthquake at the 94th percentile nationally means a multi-season preparedness mindset — fire season and flood or storm season often require different household plans. Kittitas 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
Kittitas County falls 19.1 points above Washington's typical county risk level, which means the hazard environment here is notably more demanding than the state baseline.
Is your household prepared for Kittitas County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Kittitas County, WA?
What types of natural hazards affect Kittitas County?
How does Kittitas County risk compare to the Washington average?
Is Kittitas County at risk for wildfire?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Why is Kittitas County higher risk than average?
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.