Lincoln County Disaster Risk
Lincoln County, Washington
FEMA Risk Rating
Relatively Low
National Percentile
55th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#29
of 39 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
50th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 50% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Relatively High
Higher than 97% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Very Low
Higher than 8% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 63% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Lincoln County, Washington
Lincoln County carries relatively low risk
Lincoln County's composite risk score of 54.90 ranks in the "Relatively Low" category, below the national average. Despite significant wildfire exposure, the county's overall hazard profile is among the least concerning in Washington state.
Lowest risk county in Washington
Lincoln County scores 54.90 against Washington's state average of 70.01, making it the state's safest county by composite risk measure. This low score reflects moderate earthquake and flood exposure paired with fewer tornado threats.
Lincoln leads neighboring counties in safety
Lincoln County (54.90) dramatically outperforms nearby Okanogan County (89.19) and Kittitas County (89.12) in overall safety rankings. This makes Lincoln County a relative haven in north-central Washington's hazard landscape.
Wildfire dominates Lincoln's hazards
Lincoln County faces extreme wildfire risk (96.66) across its semi-arid rangeland and forested zones, far exceeding other hazards. Earthquakes (63.01) and flooding (49.97) present moderate secondary concerns, while tornadoes (7.63) are rare.
Wildfire preparedness and insurance key
Lincoln County residents should prioritize wildfire defensibility—clearing brush, maintaining roof maintenance, and creating defensible space around homes. Standard homeowners insurance covers wildfire damage, so ensure your coverage reflects your home's replacement cost and location relative to wildland-urban interface zones.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Lincoln County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Lincoln County
Risk Verdict
Lincoln County's FEMA risk score places it at the 55th percentile nationally, indicating lower-than-typical exposure for a U.S. county. A moderate composite score often means one or two hazard categories are doing the heavy lifting — knowing which ones matters for preparation.
Hazard Breakdown
Wildfire risk is Lincoln County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 97th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 63th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (50th percentile), tornado (8th percentile).
Preparedness Context
Lincoln County sits at the 97th percentile for wildfire exposure. Signing up for Lincoln County's county emergency alert system and knowing the pre-planned evacuation route before conditions deteriorate are the two highest-value preparedness actions for residents here. Alongside wildfire, earthquake at the 63th percentile nationally means a multi-season preparedness mindset — fire season and flood or storm season often require different household plans. In Lincoln County, wildfire smoke often precedes the flame front by hours or days; households benefit from tracking EPA's AirNow.gov and having HEPA air filtration available as a first line of indoor protection when air quality alerts are issued.
Regional Context
At 15.1 points below the Washington state average, Lincoln County is among the lower-risk counties in the state for natural disaster exposure.
Is your household prepared for Lincoln County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Lincoln County, WA?
What types of natural hazards affect Lincoln County?
How does Lincoln County risk compare to the Washington average?
Is Lincoln County at risk for wildfire?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Is Lincoln County a safe place to live?
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.