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 Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Skagit County, Washington
Skagit County faces moderate disaster risk
Skagit County scores 88.77 on the composite risk scale, well above Washington's state average of 70.01 and in the relatively moderate risk category nationally. This means Skagit residents face more frequent or severe natural hazard exposure than the typical American county. The county's agricultural base and proximity to the Puget Sound create multiple interconnected disaster threats.
Fourth-riskiest county in Washington
Skagit County ranks fourth statewide for overall disaster risk, behind Pierce (98.54), Snohomish (97.87), and Pacific (92.75) counties. Skagit's highest scores are earthquake (96.98) and flood (91.40), reflecting major vulnerabilities concentrated in these two hazard types. The county's 88.77 composite score places it in the upper tier of Washington risk rankings, above nearly 80% of the state's counties.
Higher risk than southern Puget Sound
Skagit County's 88.77 score exceeds Snohomish County's by a small margin (97.87 vs 88.77) when considering similar hazard profiles, though Snohomish ranks slightly higher overall. Compared to San Juan County (35.37) to the north, Skagit faces dramatically more earthquake and flood exposure due to its mainland location and river systems. Whatcom County to the north shares similar flood and earthquake vulnerabilities, making the Puget Sound corridor consistently high-risk.
Floods and earthquakes threaten communities
Flood risk at 91.40 is Skagit County's most acute hazard, affecting the Skagit River valley where agricultural areas and communities face recurring inundation during winter storms and spring snowmelt. Earthquake risk (96.98) ranks among the state's highest, reflecting the county's position over the Cascadia Subduction Zone and proximity to multiple fault systems. Tornado risk remains minimal at 11.16, so emergency preparedness should focus on seismic resilience and flood mitigation rather than severe weather sheltering.
Flood and earthquake coverage mandatory
Skagit County homeowners must obtain flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program, particularly if located in the mapped floodplain of the Skagit River or tributary systems. Earthquake insurance is equally essential, as standard homeowners policies exclude seismic damage—the county's 96.98 earthquake risk is among Washington's highest. Retrofit your home's foundation for seismic stability and elevate utilities above projected flood levels if in a flood-prone area.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Skagit County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Skagit County
Risk Verdict
At the 89th percentile nationally, Skagit County sits in the upper half of U.S. counties for natural disaster exposure. At this risk level, having a documented household preparedness plan — not just awareness — is the meaningful next step for Skagit County residents.
Hazard Breakdown
Earthquake risk is Skagit County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 97th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Flood ranks second at the 91th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include wildfire (53th percentile), tornado (11th percentile).
Preparedness Context
With earthquake ranked as the top hazard at the 97th percentile nationally, Skagit County residents benefit from reviewing homeowners insurance: standard policies rarely cover earthquake damage, and separate earthquake insurance must be purchased before an event. Flood at the 91th percentile nationally is a separate hazard dimension for Skagit County that requires different protective strategies from earthquake preparedness. Earthquake insurance in Skagit County is typically offered as a separate policy — standard homeowners coverage excludes ground movement. Reviewing this gap and comparing policy options before an event is a financial preparedness step with potentially large consequences.
Regional Context
The Washington county average is 18.8 composite points below Skagit County's score, a gap that reflects the county's elevated position in the state's hazard distribution.
Is your household prepared for Skagit County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Skagit County, WA?
What types of natural hazards affect Skagit County?
How does Skagit County risk compare to the Washington average?
Is Skagit County at risk for earthquake?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Why is Skagit 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.