Cowlitz County
Washington — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
MediumComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 90th
Cowlitz County faces medium composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 90.3, 90th national percentile), driven primarily by volcanic activity and earthquake exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $88M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Volcanic Activity | High | 0.01 / yr | $8M |
| Earthquake | Medium | 0.02 / yr | $39M |
| Heat Wave | Medium | 5.00 / yr | $4M |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 0.75 / yr | $34M |
| Landslide | Low | 2.30 / yr | $26K |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 0.27 / yr | $3M |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $94K |
| Coastal Flood | Low | 1.62 / yr | $152K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 21.10 / yr | $65K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 0.04 / yr | $400K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.33 / yr | $35K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $56 |
| Lightning | Very Low | 6.13 / yr | $80K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.09 / yr | $252K |
| Hail | Very Low | 0.05 / yr | $43K |
| Drought | 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 Cowlitz County?
Cowlitz County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 90.3 out of 100, placing it in the Medium category and the 90th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Cowlitz County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Volcanic Activity (High, $8M EAL), Earthquake (Medium, $39M EAL), Heat Wave (Medium, $4M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Cowlitz County compare to other Washington counties?
Cowlitz County ranks #12 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. Cowlitz County's $88M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.