Natural Disaster Risk in Klickitat County

Natural Hazard Profile: Klickitat County, Washington

Klickitat County is located in the United States in Washington, home to roughly 22,707 residents. The county experiences mild, rainy winters west of the Cascades and semi-arid conditions to the east, with a critical wildfire period in eastern Washington each summer shaping the natural hazards faced by its communities. FEMA assesses risk at this county level, providing the baseline for every city and ZIP code within its boundaries.

FEMA rates Klickitat County's composite natural disaster risk at 6.0 out of 10 — high risk. The threat from nearby active volcanoes tops the local risk profile, with potential hazards including ash fall that disrupts air travel and agriculture, and lava that threatens infrastructure. Residents should also account for wildfire and avalanche risk in their preparedness planning.

Klickitat County's risk score, near the 5.8/10 state average and above the U.S. national average of 4.5/10. Of the 18 hazard categories tracked by FEMA for Klickitat County, the highest-scoring are volcano, wildfire, and avalanche. These scores reflect county-level data and represent the baseline risk that all communities in the county share.

With a high natural disaster risk rating, Klickitat County residents benefit from taking preparedness seriously. Reviewing insurance coverage for volcano and secondary hazards, registering for emergency alerts, and maintaining a household emergency kit are practical steps that can significantly reduce impact during a major event.