Chelan County
Washington — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
MediumComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 91th
Chelan County faces medium composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 90.9, 91th national percentile), driven primarily by wildfire and landslide exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $89M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Wildfire | High | 0.02 / yr | $35M |
| Landslide | Medium | 3.98 / yr | $142K |
| Avalanche | Very High | 0.27 / yr | $4M |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 1.46 / yr | $41M |
| Volcanic Activity | Low | 0.01 / yr | $15K |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.01 / yr | $4M |
| Lightning | High | 9.93 / yr | $841K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 3.66 / yr | $1M |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 26.39 / yr | $164K |
| Hail | Low | 0.07 / yr | $466K |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 0.10 / yr | $2M |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.07 / yr | $17K |
| Drought | Very Low | 7.83 / yr | $2K |
| Strong Wind | Very Low | 0.06 / yr | $74K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.05 / yr | $52K |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Chelan County?
Chelan County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 90.9 out of 100, placing it in the Medium category and the 91th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Chelan County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Wildfire (High, $35M EAL), Landslide (Medium, $142K EAL), Avalanche (Very High, $4M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Chelan County compare to other Washington counties?
Chelan County ranks #11 of 39 Washington counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a medium rating.
What does Expected Annual Loss (EAL) mean?
EAL is FEMA's estimate of average annual dollar losses from natural hazards, calculated from historical event data and exposure models. Chelan County's $89M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.