Klickitat County Disaster Risk
Klickitat County, Washington
FEMA Risk Rating
Relatively Low
National Percentile
74th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#24
of 39 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
67th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 67% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Relatively High
Higher than 98% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Very Low
Higher than 6% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 78% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Klickitat County, Washington
Klickitat County carries relatively low risk
Klickitat County's composite risk score of 73.89 ranks in the "Relatively Low" category, slightly above the national average. The county's risk is concentrated in wildfires and earthquakes, with minimal tornado and hurricane exposure.
Below-average risk for Washington state
Klickitat County scores 73.89 against Washington's state average of 70.01, placing it slightly above the midline for state hazard exposure. This makes it one of Washington's lower-risk counties despite significant wildfire and earthquake threats.
Klickitat sits among state's safer counties
Klickitat County (73.89) ranks lower than all its neighboring high-risk counties, including Kittitas (89.12), Lewis (89.69), and Okanogan (89.19). It represents a relative haven in south-central Washington's hazard landscape.
Wildfire and earthquake dominate hazards
Klickitat County faces severe wildfire risk (98.41) across its semi-arid, forested terrain, plus moderate earthquake exposure (78.37) from regional fault systems. Flooding (66.60) presents a secondary concern along river valleys, while tornadoes (6.30) are negligible.
Wildfire and earthquake insurance critical
Klickitat County residents should prioritize wildfire defensibility and earthquake insurance, securing their homes against these two dominant hazards. Flood insurance is advisable for river-adjacent properties, and all homeowners should ensure adequate coverage for seismic events.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Klickitat County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Klickitat County
Risk Verdict
Klickitat County has a below-average natural disaster risk profile, scoring at the 74th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Households in Klickitat County benefit from knowing which individual hazard types — flood, wildfire, tornado, or hurricane — are the primary contributors.
Hazard Breakdown
Wildfire risk is Klickitat County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 98th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 78th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (67th percentile), tornado (6th percentile).
Preparedness Context
Wildfire is Klickitat County's top-ranked natural hazard at the 98th percentile nationally. Klickitat County residents should assess whether their property lies within or adjacent to a Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) zone, where ember transport and rapid spread pose the highest risk. A secondary earthquake exposure at the 78th percentile nationally means Klickitat County residents face hazards from two distinct natural peril categories during different seasons. For Klickitat County households, a practiced evacuation plan — with a primary and backup route designated before a fire occurs — provides more protection than any structural improvement when a wildfire approaches fast-moving terrain.
Regional Context
At just 3.9 composite points from the Washington average, Klickitat County's natural disaster risk is closely in line with its in-state peers.
Is your household prepared for Klickitat County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Klickitat County, WA?
What types of natural hazards affect Klickitat County?
How does Klickitat County risk compare to the Washington average?
Is Klickitat County at risk for wildfire?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Why is Klickitat 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.