Columbia County
Washington — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 9th
Columbia County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 8.6, 9th national percentile), driven primarily by wildfire and avalanche exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $4M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $204K |
| Avalanche | Low | 0.01 / yr | $4K |
| Landslide | Low | 1.12 / yr | $4K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.38 / yr | $56K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $94K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.18 / yr | $3M |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 4.77 / yr | $92K |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 0.25 / yr | $138K |
| Drought | Very Low | 23.56 / yr | $479 |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 17.18 / yr | $6K |
| Hail | Very Low | 0.34 / yr | $21K |
| Strong Wind | Very Low | 0.30 / yr | $31K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.03 / yr | $7K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 13.44 / yr | $5K |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Columbia County?
Columbia County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 8.6 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 9th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Columbia County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Wildfire (Low, $204K EAL), Avalanche (Low, $4K EAL), Landslide (Low, $4K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Columbia County compare to other Washington counties?
Columbia County ranks #38 of 39 Washington counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low 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. Columbia County's $4M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.