riskbycounty
FEMA National Risk Index

Skagit County Disaster Risk

Skagit County, Washington

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Moderate

National Percentile

89th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#18

of 39 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

91th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Moderate

Higher than 91% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 53% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 11% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively High

Higher than 97% of US counties

Risk Advisory: Skagit County

Risk Verdict

Skagit 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

Earthquake risk is the dominant hazard for Skagit County, scoring in the 97th percentile nationally. It is followed by flood risk at the 91th percentile. Additional hazards include wildfire (53th), tornado (11th).

Preparedness Context

With earthquake risk as the top concern, Skagit 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

Skagit County is significantly riskier than the average county in Washington. Its composite risk score is 18.8 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 Skagit County, WA?
Skagit 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 Skagit County?
Skagit County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: earthquake (97th percentile), flooding (91th percentile), wildfire (53th percentile), tornado (11th 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 Skagit County risk compare to the Washington average?
Skagit 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 Skagit County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Washington.
Is Skagit County at risk for earthquake?
Yes, Skagit County's earthquake risk is at the 97th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Skagit County is at the 91th 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 Skagit County higher risk than average?
Skagit County's composite risk score of 89th percentile is above the Washington state average of 70th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by earthquake exposure (97th percentile), along with flooding and wildfire 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

Kittitas County

Washington

+0.3

Relatively Moderate

89th percentile

Okanogan County

Washington

+0.4

Relatively Moderate

89th percentile

Lewis County

Washington

+0.9

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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