riskbycounty
FEMA National Risk Index

Mason County Disaster Risk

Mason County, Washington

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Moderate

National Percentile

85th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#20

of 39 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

79th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 79% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 44% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 14% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively High

Higher than 97% of US counties

Risk Advisory: Mason County

Risk Verdict

Mason County has a relatively moderate overall disaster risk profile, scoring in the 85th 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

Earthquake risk is the dominant hazard for Mason County, scoring in the 97th percentile nationally. It is followed by flood risk at the 79th percentile. Additional hazards include wildfire (44th), tornado (14th).

Preparedness Context

With earthquake risk as the top concern, Mason County residents should secure heavy furniture and appliances, know how to shut off utilities, and keep emergency supplies accessible. Secondary risks such as flood 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

Mason County is significantly riskier than the average county in Washington. Its composite risk score is 15.3 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 Mason County, WA?
Mason County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Moderate, placing it in the 85th 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 Mason County?
Mason County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: earthquake (97th percentile), flooding (79th percentile), wildfire (44th percentile), tornado (14th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is earthquake at the 97th 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 Mason County risk compare to the Washington average?
Mason County's composite risk percentile is 85th, compared to the Washington state average of 70th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Mason County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Washington.
Is Mason County at risk for earthquake?
Yes, Mason County's earthquake risk is at the 97th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Mason County is at the 79th 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 Mason County higher risk than average?
Mason County's composite risk score of 85th percentile is above the Washington state average of 70th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by earthquake exposure (97th percentile), along with 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

Benton County

Washington

+1.7

Relatively Moderate

87th percentile

Skagit County

Washington

+3.4

Relatively Moderate

89th percentile

Kittitas County

Washington

+3.8

Relatively Moderate

89th 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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