Garfield County

Washington — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment

Very Low

Composite Risk Score

1.6

National percentile: 2th

Garfield County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 1.6, 2th national percentile), driven primarily by wildfire and avalanche exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $2M.

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025

Expected Annual Loss $2M Annualized county-level EAL
Social Vulnerability Very Low Population sensitivity
Community Resilience Low Capacity to recover
Population 2K Latest estimate

Top Hazards

Wildfire
Low $195K/yr
Avalanche
Very Low $2K/yr
Landslide
Very Low $3K/yr

All 18 Hazard Risks

Wildfire Low 0.00 / yr $195K
Avalanche Very Low 0.01 / yr $2K
Landslide Very Low 0.58 / yr $3K
Earthquake Very Low 0.00 / yr $30K
Ice Storm Very Low 0.22 / yr $13K
Heat Wave Very Low 4.19 / yr $42K
Drought Very Low 24.11 / yr $559
Riverine Flood Very Low 0.14 / yr $2M
Cold Wave Very Low 0.13 / yr $40K
Hail Very Low 0.36 / yr $20K
Winter Weather Very Low 10.80 / yr $2K
Strong Wind Very Low 0.22 / yr $12K
Tornado Very Low 0.02 / yr $4K
Lightning Very Low 14.34 / yr $2K
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 Garfield County?

Garfield County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 1.6 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 2th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.

What are the top natural hazards in Garfield County?

The three highest-rated hazards are Wildfire (Low, $195K EAL), Avalanche (Very Low, $2K EAL), Landslide (Very Low, $3K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.

How does Garfield County compare to other Washington counties?

Garfield County ranks #39 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. Garfield County's $2M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.