Klickitat County, Washington
County storm and disaster record · FIPS 53039 · population 22,707 · 1,872 sq mi
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 435 records for Klickitat County, Washington from 1950 through June 30, 2026, on 322 days; the most frequent are winter storm records (183 records). 407 of them are forecast-zone records, which the National Weather Service files once per zone: a county covered by several zones receives each one, so a single storm can add several records on the same day. The deadliest single record is the April 30, 2010 strong wind, filed for the forecast zone East Columbia River Gorge, which covers the county: 3 deaths and 1 injury. FEMA has issued 29 declarations naming the county since 1964, 27 of them for natural hazards; the latest for a natural hazard was “Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides” on April 7, 2026.
The record, 1950 to 2026
Storm records filed for the county each year (2026 to June 30, 2026). Before 1996 NOAA recorded only tornadoes (from 1950), thunderstorm wind and hail (from 1955).
- recorded, no damage figure
- under $100,000
- $100,000 or more
- $1 million or more
- $10 million or more, or a death
- $100 million or more, or 10 deaths
- a year's colour: its recorded damage or deaths
- a year with a death
- 1955: wind and hail recorded from 1955
- 1996: all 48 event types from 1996
- Storm records
- 435on 322 days, 1950 to June 30, 2026
- Deaths recorded
- 1341 injuries
- Damage, 2025 dollars
- $20Mas filed (scale steps before 1993)
- FEMA declarations
- 29latest 2026
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records through June 30, 2026 (file revision 20260918); damage converted to 2025 dollars with the BLS CPI-U. Search the record at NCEI. BLS consumer price index.
What hazards hit Klickitat County most?
The most frequent records are winter storm records: 183 since 1996. 66% of its winter storm records since 1996 fell in December and January. The rank column places the county among Washington's counties by days with a record per 1,000 square miles of land over each hazard's complete period.
| Hazard | Records | Days | First, last | Killed | Injured | Damage | Rank in state |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winter storms | 183 | 127 | 1996-2026 | 4 | 10 | – | 25 of 39 |
| High wind and dust storms | 130 | 104 | 1997-2026 | 4 | 26 | $3.0M | 19 of 39 |
| Wildfires | 39 | 34 | 1998-2018 | 0 | 0 | $17M | 11 of 39 |
| Heat | 25 | 17 | 2002-2024 | 4 | 0 | – | 12 of 39 |
| Extreme cold | 20 | 12 | 2002-2024 | 0 | 0 | – | 7 of 39 |
| Hail | 12 | 11 | 1998-2024 | 0 | 0 | – | 12 of 39 |
| Floods | 7 | 7 | 1997-2017 | 0 | 0 | – | 37 of 39 |
| Severe thunderstorm wind | 5 | 4 | 2002-2024 | 0 | 0 | $2K | 27 of 39 |
| Landslides and avalanches | 4 | 4 | 2011-2025 | 0 | 0 | – | 23 of 39 |
| Fog, smoke and funnel clouds | 4 | 4 | 2000-2011 | 1 | 4 | $319K | 19 of 39 |
| Lightning | 3 | 3 | 2000-2006 | 0 | 0 | $16K | 13 of 39 |
| Heavy rain | 2 | 2 | 1999-2006 | 0 | 1 | $18K | 34 of 39 |
| Drought | 1 | 1 | 1999-1999 | 0 | 0 | – | 22 of 39 |
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database (county and forecast-zone records attributed to the county; a zone record shows its own totals on each county it covers). Days: dates with at least one record of the hazard in the county. Ranks: days with a record per 1,000 square miles of land (Census Bureau 2024 Gazetteer), since 1950 for tornadoes, 1955 for hail and thunderstorm wind, 1996 for the rest.
When was the last damaging storm in Klickitat County?
The most recent record with damage, injuries or deaths is the July 12, 2024 excessive heat (3 deaths).
The local county coroner confirmed a heat related death of a 70 year old male on July 15th, and the heat related deaths of a couple, 85 year old female and 90 year old male, on July 16th.
National Weather Service event narrative, NOAA Storm Events Database (search the full record, event 1206542)
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-03-11 | High WindBenton County and 3 more · forecast zone Lower Columbia Basin | 61 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-03-11 | Heavy SnowKittitas County and 2 more · forecast zone Lower Slopes Of The Est Washington Cascade Crest | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-01-06 | Heavy SnowKittitas County and 2 more · forecast zone Lower Slopes Of The Est Washington Cascade Crest | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-11-18 | AvalancheKlickitat County · forecast zone Eastern Columbia River Gorge | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-08-07 | Dust StormBenton County and 3 more · forecast zone Lower Columbia Basin | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-02-24 | High WindBenton County and 3 more · forecast zone Lower Columbia Basin | 60 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2025-02-13 | Heavy SnowKlickitat County · forecast zone Eastern Columbia River Gorge | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-02-03 | Heavy SnowKlickitat County · forecast zone Eastern Columbia River Gorge | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-02-01 | High WindBenton County and 3 more · forecast zone Lower Columbia Basin | 52 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2024-07-12 | Excessive HeatBenton County and 3 more · forecast zone Lower Columbia Basin | 3 | 0 | – | |
| 2024-07-05 | Excessive HeatBenton County and 3 more · forecast zone Lower Columbia Basin | 1 | 0 | – | |
| 2019-09-29 | Winter WeatherKittitas County and 2 more · forecast zone East Slopes Of The Washington Cascades | 1 | 2 | – |
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database; every record of 2025-2026 is listed, earlier ones when they caused deaths, injuries or $250,000 of damage (2025 dollars), and every tornado.
The deadliest and costliest records
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010-04-30 | Strong WindKlickitat County · forecast zone East Columbia River Gorge Strong winds and the resulting waves capsized an 18 foot fishing boat on Lake Celilo near Wishram. Four people were thrown off the boat. Three people drowned and 1 person suffered minor hypothermia. | 30 kt wind | 3 | 1 | – |
| 2024-07-12 | Excessive HeatBenton County and 3 more · forecast zone Lower Columbia Basin The local county coroner confirmed a heat related death of a 70 year old male on July 15th, and the heat related deaths of a couple, 85 year old female and 90 year old male, on July 16th. | 3 | 0 | – | |
| 1997-01-16 | Ice StormBenton County and 3 more · forecast zone Lower Columbia Basin One traffic fatality, numerous traffic accidents, several personal injuries from slipping on ice. | 1 | 5 | – | |
| 2019-09-29 | Winter WeatherKittitas County and 2 more · forecast zone East Slopes Of The Washington Cascades Several inches of snowfall coupled with melting/refreezing snow lead to treacherous travel conditions near Blewett Pass. This resulted in at least 9 automobile collisions and one fatality in the evening and overnight hours of the 29th. | 1 | 2 | – | |
| 2011-12-08 | Freezing FogBenton County and 3 more · forecast zone Lower Columbia Basin High pressure produced stagnant conditions which led to freezing fog and snow grains in the Tri-Cities area. A one vehicle accident on slippery Interstate 84 caused a fatality to the driver. A good samaritan motorist stopped to help and was injured when another motorist lost control of their vehicle and collided with ... | 1 | 1 | – | |
| 2024-07-05 | Excessive HeatBenton County and 3 more · forecast zone Lower Columbia Basin A Franklin county coroner confirmed that a 61 year old male east of Pasco, WA had died of hyperthermia, with alcohol intoxication a contributing factor. | 1 | 0 | – | |
| 2019-02-10 | Heavy SnowKittitas County and 2 more · forecast zone East Slopes Of The Washington Cascades Very heavy snow fell along the east slopes of the Washington Cascades with 53 inches at Snoqualmie Pass and 38 inches at Trout Lake. Interstate 90 over Snoqualmie Pass was closed for over 72 hours for snow removal and avalanche mitigation. Just after the initial closure a fatal motor vehicle accident (indirect) ... | 1 | 0 | – | |
| 2019-01-04 | Winter WeatherKittitas County and 2 more · forecast zone East Slopes Of The Washington Cascades Interstate 90 was closed in both directions for much of the day January 4th between North Bend and Ellensburg as a result of several multi-vehicle crashes that occurred prior to sunrise including 1 fatality (indirect). A mix of rain and snow that fell earlier in the night left a wet surface as temperatures fell to ... | 1 | 0 | – |
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012-08-13 | WildfireKittitas County and 2 more · forecast zone East Slopes Of The Washington Cascades | 0 | 0 | $11M | |
| 2011-09-07 | WildfireKlickitat County and Yakima County · forecast zone Simcoe Highlands | 0 | 0 | $5.9M | |
| 2012-12-17 | High WindBenton County and 3 more · forecast zone Lower Columbia Basin | 72 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $720K |
| 2010-05-03 | High WindBenton County and 3 more · forecast zone Lower Columbia Basin | 67 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $677K |
| 2002-02-07 | High WindBenton County and 3 more · forecast zone Lower Columbia Basin | 52 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $492K |
| 2001-01-23 | Dense FogBenton County and 3 more · forecast zone Lower Columbia Basin | 0 | 3 | $233K | |
| 2002-01-24 | High WindBenton County and 3 more · forecast zone Lower Columbia Basin | 0 | 1 | $164K | |
| 2001-04-30 | High WindBenton County and 3 more · forecast zone Lower Columbia Basin | 42 kt wind | 0 | 1 | $125K |
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database: deaths and injuries direct and indirect; damage is property plus crops as estimated by the National Weather Service, converted to 2025 dollars.
Is it getting more frequent?
Records per decade for Klickitat County's most frequent hazards. Counts rose everywhere after 1996, when NOAA began recording every event type, so compare decades within a hazard's complete period only (the shaded cells come before it).
| Hazard | 1950s | 1960s | 1970s | 1980s | 1990s | 2000s | 2010s | 2020-26 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winter storms | – | – | – | – | 7 | 53 | 86 | 37 |
| High wind and dust storms | – | – | – | – | 13 | 63 | 38 | 16 |
| Wildfires | – | – | – | – | 2 | 17 | 20 | 0 |
| Heat | – | – | – | – | 0 | 10 | 1 | 14 |
| Extreme cold | – | – | – | – | 0 | 7 | 4 | 9 |
| Hail | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 6 | 2 |
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records per calendar decade; zone records from the CZ_TYPE field (Z).
What time of year?
66% of its winter storm records since 1996 fell in December and January. The two busiest months are in violet.
The values, month by month
Jan 92 · Feb 53 · Mar 24 · Apr 16 · May 10 · Jun 14 · Jul 33 · Aug 36 · Sep 13 · Oct 17 · Nov 48 · Dec 79 (records).
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records by the month they began.
Federal disaster declarations for Klickitat County
FEMA's register lists 29 declarations that include Klickitat County: 17 major disasters, 4 emergencies and 8 fire management assistance declarations. Most were for fire (9) and flood (7).
| Declared | Number | Type | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-04-07 | DR-4906 | Flood | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| 2025-07-19 | FM-5601 | Fire | Burdoin Fire |
| 2024-04-28 | DR-4775 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| 2023-07-23 | FM-5470 | Fire | Newell Road Fire |
| 2022-03-29 | DR-4650 | Flood | Severe Winter Storms, Snowstorms, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding |
| 2021-04-08 | DR-4593 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| 2020-03-22 | DR-4481 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| 2020-03-13 | EM-3427 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| 2015-09-14 | FM-5113 | Fire | Horsethief Butte Fire |
| 2015-08-21 | EM-3372 | Fire | Wildfires |
| 2015-08-05 | FM-5094 | Fire | Highway 8 Fire |
| 2012-09-06 | FM-5011 | Fire | Highway 141 Fire Complex |
| 2012-03-05 | DR-4056 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| 2011-09-08 | FM-2966 | Fire | Monastery Fire Complex |
| 2011-03-25 | DR-1963 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| 2009-03-02 | DR-1825 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm and Record and Near Record Snow |
| 2009-01-30 | DR-1817 | Flood | Severe Winter Storm, Landslides, Mudslides, and Flooding |
| 2007-02-14 | DR-1682 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| 2005-09-07 | EM-3227 | Coastal Storm | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| 2000-08-25 | FM-2323 | Fire | Wa - Mule Dry Fire - 2000 |
| 1998-07-28 | FM-2225 | Fire | Wa - Cleveland Fire - 07/28/98 |
| 1997-01-17 | DR-1159 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms, Land & Muds Slides,Flooding |
| 1997-01-07 | DR-1152 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Ice Storm |
| 1996-02-09 | DR-1100 | Flood | High Winds, Severe Storms and Flooding |
| 1980-05-21 | DR-623 | Volcanic Eruption | Volcanic Eruption, Mt. St. Helens |
| 1977-12-10 | DR-545 | Flood | Severe Storms,Mudslides, & Flooding |
| 1977-03-31 | EM-3037 | Drought | Drought |
| 1974-01-25 | DR-414 | Flood | Severe Storms, Snowmelt & Flooding |
| 1964-12-29 | DR-185 | Flood | Heavy Rains & Flooding |
Source: FEMA OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (v2), declarations through October 2, 2026; one declaration is counted once however many areas it names. OpenFEMA dataset page.
How many floods has Klickitat County had?
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 7 flood or flash flood records for Klickitat County from 1997 to 2017, on 7 days, with 0 deaths. By flood insurance claims since 1978 (OpenFEMA, as of September 8, 2026), Klickitat County ranks 2085th of 2,942 U.S. counties.
The National Flood Insurance Program has paid $286,000 on 20 claims filed in Klickitat County; the most in one year was 13 in 1996. Claims count insured losses only: uninsured flood damage is not in this file.
The values, year by year
1982: 4 · 1983: 1 · 1996: 13 · 2015: 1 · 2022: 1; the other years: 0.
Source: FEMA OpenFEMA NFIP Redacted Claims, as of September 8, 2026; claims by year of loss, payments in the dollars of the year paid. OpenFEMA dataset page.
FEMA's modeled risk for Klickitat County
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Klickitat County Relatively Low overall, with an expected annual loss of $26.1 million. These are FEMA's model estimates of future loss from 18 hazards, not a count of what happened; they can differ from the record above.
| Hazard | Risk rating | Expected annual loss | Modeled frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wildfire | Relatively High | $14M | once in about 55 years (modeled) |
| Ice Storm | Relatively High | $406K | once in about 5 years (modeled) |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate | $83K | 15 a year (modeled) |
| Volcanic Activity | Relatively Low | $31K | once in about 76 years (modeled) |
| Landslide | Relatively Low | $13K | about once a year (modeled) |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low | $1.1M | once in about 71 years (modeled) |
| Avalanche | Relatively Low | $8K | once in about 30 years (modeled) |
| Riverine Flooding | Relatively Low | $9.2M | once in about 4 years (modeled) |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index, county table, December 2025 release. FEMA's National Risk Index map.
Counties that share a border with Klickitat County
Source: U.S. Census Bureau county adjacency file; NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records since 1950. The Census Bureau's adjacency file.
Next
- Winter storms in WashingtonThe state's winter storm records, by county, year and month
- The Washington recordEvery hazard in the state, its deadliest events and its federal declarations
- FEMA's risk rating for each hazard in Klickitat CountyThe hazard risk calculator: 18 hazards beside the county's record
- Download Klickitat County's FEMA declarations (CSV)29 rows: every declaration that named the county, for your own analysis