riskbycounty
FEMA National Risk Index

Whatcom County Disaster Risk

Whatcom County, Washington

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Moderate

National Percentile

91th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#10

of 39 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

89th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Moderate

Higher than 89% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 62% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 13% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively High

Higher than 98% of US counties

Risk Advisory: Whatcom County

Risk Verdict

Whatcom County has a relatively moderate overall disaster risk profile, scoring in the 91th 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 Whatcom County, scoring in the 98th percentile nationally. It is followed by flood risk at the 89th percentile. Additional hazards include wildfire (62th), tornado (13th).

Preparedness Context

With earthquake risk as the top concern, Whatcom 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

Whatcom County is significantly riskier than the average county in Washington. Its composite risk score is 21 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 Whatcom County, WA?
Whatcom County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Moderate, placing it in the 91th 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 Whatcom County?
Whatcom County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: earthquake (98th percentile), flooding (89th percentile), wildfire (62th percentile), tornado (13th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is earthquake at the 98th 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 Whatcom County risk compare to the Washington average?
Whatcom County's composite risk percentile is 91th, compared to the Washington state average of 70th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Whatcom County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Washington.
Is Whatcom County at risk for earthquake?
Yes, Whatcom County's earthquake risk is at the 98th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Whatcom County is at the 89th 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 Whatcom County higher risk than average?
Whatcom County's composite risk score of 91th percentile is above the Washington state average of 70th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by earthquake exposure (98th 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

Chelan County

Washington

-0.1

Relatively Moderate

91th percentile

Cowlitz County

Washington

-0.7

Relatively Moderate

90th percentile

Spokane County

Washington

-1.0

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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