Yakima County
Washington — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
MediumComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 94th
Yakima County faces medium composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 94.0, 94th national percentile), driven primarily by wildfire and landslide exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $120M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Wildfire | High | 0.01 / yr | $19M |
| Landslide | High | 4.51 / yr | $656K |
| Cold Wave | High | 0.36 / yr | $18M |
| Earthquake | Medium | 0.01 / yr | $29M |
| Avalanche | Very High | 0.13 / yr | $3M |
| Heat Wave | Medium | 4.76 / yr | $4M |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 1.50 / yr | $44M |
| Hail | Medium | 0.09 / yr | $2M |
| Volcanic Activity | Low | 0.01 / yr | $8K |
| Winter Weather | High | 18.15 / yr | $233K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 0.12 / yr | $790K |
| Lightning | Medium | 7.64 / yr | $366K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.07 / yr | $80K |
| Drought | Low | 23.53 / yr | $37K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.11 / yr | $181K |
| 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 Yakima County?
Yakima County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 94.0 out of 100, placing it in the Medium category and the 94th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Yakima County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Wildfire (High, $19M EAL), Landslide (High, $656K EAL), Cold Wave (High, $18M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Yakima County compare to other Washington counties?
Yakima County ranks #6 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. Yakima County's $120M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.