Whitman County
Washington — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 40th
Whitman County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 39.8, 40th national percentile), driven primarily by landslide and wildfire exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $14M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Landslide | Medium | 1.99 / yr | $83K |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $179K |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 0.79 / yr | $2M |
| Heat Wave | Low | 4.21 / yr | $695K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.93 / yr | $10M |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $419K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $458 |
| Hail | Low | 0.30 / yr | $204K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.19 / yr | $60K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 17.05 / yr | $30K |
| Drought | Very Low | 14.61 / yr | $5K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 0.26 / yr | $200K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.08 / yr | $83K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 12.98 / yr | $27K |
| 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 Whitman County?
Whitman County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 39.8 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 40th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Whitman County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Landslide (Medium, $83K EAL), Wildfire (Low, $179K EAL), Cold Wave (Medium, $2M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Whitman County compare to other Washington counties?
Whitman County ranks #32 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. Whitman County's $14M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.