riskbycounty
FEMA NRI 1.19.0Updated Nov 2023 · Coverage 2014–2023Methodology

Yakima County Disaster Risk

Yakima County, Washington

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Moderate

National Percentile

94th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#6

of 39 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

93th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Moderate

Higher than 93% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively High

Higher than 99% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 20% 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 Yakima County, Washington

Yakima County faces high composite risk

Yakima County scores 94.02 on the national composite risk scale, earning a Relatively Moderate rating and significantly exceeding Washington's state average of 70.01. This agricultural powerhouse ranks among the nation's more hazard-exposed counties due to a potent combination of wildfire, flood, and earthquake threats.

Among Washington's highest-risk counties

Yakima County ranks in the top tier of Washington's disaster risk hierarchy, with a composite score of 94.02 that trails only Thurston County. Its elevation places it alongside the state's most comprehensively hazard-exposed regions.

Riskier than most surrounding counties

Yakima County's risk score of 94.02 significantly exceeds Walla Walla County (60.37) and other interior neighbors, marking it as the region's most hazard-exposed area. Only Thurston County (94.50) and Whatcom County (90.97) approach its comprehensive risk level.

Wildfire and flood dominate hazards

Wildfire risk peaks at 98.92 in Yakima County—the state's highest—driven by extensive grasslands, orchards, and summer drought across the basin. Flood risk of 92.88 ranks among Washington's highest, reflecting the Yakima River system and spring snowmelt patterns, while earthquake risk of 97.39 compounds seismic vulnerability.

Comprehensive coverage is essential

Yakima County residents must prioritize wildfire insurance and maintain aggressive defensible space clearance, especially in rural and agricultural areas where fuel loads remain high. Flood insurance is critical for all properties, and earthquake coverage should be secured immediately given the 97.39 risk score.

Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Yakima County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    99th percentile
  2. #2
    EarthquakePrepare
    97th percentile
  3. #3
    FloodPrepare
    93th percentile

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Yakima County

Risk Verdict

FEMA's National Risk Index rates Yakima County at the 94th percentile nationally — above average and worth proactive preparation. Residents should prioritize a formal household emergency plan, including evacuation routes, insurance review, and a well-stocked emergency kit.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is Yakima County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 99th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 97th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (93th percentile), tornado (20th percentile).

Preparedness Context

With wildfire ranked at the 99th percentile nationally, Yakima County is in a zone where air quality can deteriorate rapidly before structures are threatened. An N95 respirator and a HEPA air purifier are practical items for Yakima County households to have on hand before fire season. The county's earthquake exposure at the 97th percentile nationally complements the wildfire risk — saturating rain after burn scarring often triggers secondary flood and debris flow events. Defensible space, insurance review, and an evacuation plan are the three preparedness pillars for Yakima County households — and the insurance review is the one most often deferred by Yakima County residents and most costly to skip when a fire event actually occurs.

Regional Context

Yakima County is 24.0 composite risk points above the Washington average, indicating that residents face greater natural hazard exposure than most of their in-state neighbors.

Is your household prepared for Yakima County's hazards?

Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.

FEMA Ready Guide →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the natural disaster risk in Yakima County, WA?
Yakima County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Moderate, 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 Yakima County?
Yakima County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (99th percentile), earthquake (97th percentile), flooding (93th percentile), tornado (20th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire 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 Yakima County risk compare to the Washington average?
Yakima 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 Yakima County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Washington.
Is Yakima County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Yakima County's wildfire risk is at the 99th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Yakima County is at the 93th 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 Yakima County higher risk than average?
Yakima County's composite risk score of 94th percentile is above the Washington state average of 70th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by wildfire exposure (99th percentile), along with earthquake and 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

Thurston County

Washington

+0.5

Relatively High

94th percentile

Pacific County

Washington

-1.3

Relatively Moderate

93th percentile

Kitsap County

Washington

-1.7

Relatively Moderate

92th percentile

By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, 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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