riskbycounty
FEMA National Risk Index

Thurston County Disaster Risk

Thurston County, Washington

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively High

National Percentile

94th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#5

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 57% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 25% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively High

Higher than 99% of US counties

Risk Advisory: Thurston County

Risk Verdict

Thurston County carries a relatively high overall disaster risk profile, scoring in the 94th percentile nationally. This places it among the most at-risk counties in the United States. Residents should prioritize comprehensive emergency preparedness, including reviewing insurance coverage and having an evacuation plan.

Hazard Breakdown

Earthquake risk is the dominant hazard for Thurston County, scoring in the 99th percentile nationally. It is followed by flood risk at the 91th percentile. Additional hazards include wildfire (57th), tornado (25th).

Preparedness Context

With earthquake risk as the top concern, Thurston 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

Thurston County is significantly riskier than the average county in Washington. Its composite risk score is 24.5 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 Thurston County, WA?
Thurston County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively High, placing it in the 94th 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 Thurston County?
Thurston County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: earthquake (99th percentile), flooding (91th percentile), wildfire (57th percentile), tornado (25th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is earthquake at the 99th 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 Thurston County risk compare to the Washington average?
Thurston County's composite risk percentile is 94th, compared to the Washington state average of 70th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Thurston County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Washington.
Is Thurston County at risk for earthquake?
Yes, Thurston County's earthquake risk is at the 99th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Thurston 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 Thurston County higher risk than average?
Thurston County's composite risk score of 94th percentile is above the Washington state average of 70th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by earthquake exposure (99th 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

Yakima County

Washington

-0.5

Relatively Moderate

94th percentile

Pacific County

Washington

-1.7

Relatively Moderate

93th percentile

Kitsap County

Washington

-2.2

Relatively Moderate

92th 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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