More hazard damage per building is expected in Fircrest than in 80% of U.S. towns, mostly from earthquakes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Fircrest gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns, #166 of 285 in Washington. Most of that expected damage is earthquakes (65%), then river and rain flooding (34%). Flood insurance has paid 8 claims here since 1986.
Graded on FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value (NRI v1.20, December 2025), weighted by where residents live; flood claims are shown, not graded. How hazard risk is graded
What Fircrest faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Earthquakes
River and rain flooding
Shares are of FEMA’s expected building damage, the measure the grade uses; ranks compare each hazard’s building-damage rate with all 85,154 U.S. census tracts. In FEMA’s terms, river and rain flooding is FEMA’s “Inland Flooding” (rivers and streams overflowing their banks, or rain overwhelming drainage). FEMA defines coastal flooding as high or rising tides and storm surge, so surge damage is counted there. Drought isn’t listed: FEMA counts its losses in crops only.
What’s behind Fircrest’s grade
Earthquakes are 65% of the building damage FEMA expects in Fircrest, and Fircrest’s rate of earthquakes damage is in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 34% (lower than 63% of U.S. census tracts).
C− #166 of 285 in Washington; higher expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Fircrest’s residents live in 3 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Washington town has higher expected damage than 76% of U.S. towns; within the state, Fircrest has more expected damage per building than 58% of Washington towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.3M a year in losses across Fircrest: $2.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Fircrest flood? Rarely: 8 flood claims since 1986
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Fircrest, from FEMA’s records: 2.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 55% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Torrential rain2 claims · $22K
- The Winter storm1 claim · $3K
Fircrest isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Pierce County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Fircrest
Disasters that paid out in Fircrest itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Fircrest), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2019Severe Winter Storm, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$248K to the City of Fircrest for repairs
- 2012Severe Winter Storm, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$16K to the City of Fircrest for repairs
- 2009Severe Winter Storm, Landslides, Mudslides, and Flooding3 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
- 2008Severe Winter Storm and Record and Near Record Snow$8K to the City of Fircrest for repairs
- 2006Severe Winter Storm, Landslides, and Mudslides$36K to the City of Fircrest for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2003Severe Storms and Flooding10 households applied for aid$13K aid approved4 flood claims paid that year
Show all 7
- 2001Earthquake$8K to the City of Fircrest for repairs
Pierce County has had 21 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then floods. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Also 1 FEMA wildfire suppression grant (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Pierce County, 2020–2020.
Old photos of Fircrest after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Fircrest archive →Fircrest and its neighbors
Fircrest is 2nd of the 3 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| University Place | Cmore damage than 71% | earthquakes | 24 |
| Fircrest | C−more damage than 80% | earthquakes | 8 |
| Tacoma | C−more damage than 83% | earthquakes | 54 |
Hazard risk = FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value, vs. the 21,298 U.S. towns we grade; the map is shaded by fifths of the same scale. Flood claims = paid federal flood insurance claims on record.
Get ready for what Fircrest faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- Turn around at flooded roads: a foot of moving water can carry off a car.
- Flood insurance usually takes 30 days to start, so buy it before the forecast.
- Keep papers and medicines up high, in a grab-and-go bag.
- Look up the address on FEMA’s flood map.
- Ask the seller or landlord whether it has ever flooded, and what flood insurance costs there.
- Get a flood insurance quote early: policies usually start 30 days after you buy.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Fircrest
Is Fircrest at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Fircrest has higher expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #166 of 285 in Washington. Most of the expected damage is earthquakes (65%) and river and rain flooding (34%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Fircrest flood?
Flood insurance has paid 8 claims in Fircrest since 1986, $79K in all, or 2.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 55% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Torrential rain (2).
Is Fircrest in a flood zone?
Flood zones are drawn street by street, so the answer depends on the address: look it up on FEMA’s flood map. In Pierce County, 44% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Fircrest?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Fircrest’s flood program. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Fircrest?
By FEMA money that reached Fircrest, Severe Winter Storm, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding (2019): $248K to the City of Fircrest for repairs. By flood claims, Torrential rain: 2 paid, $22K.
Is Fircrest at risk from earthquakes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (65%), and Fircrest’s rate for it is in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Fircrest.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Fircrest’s residents lived in the 2020 census; OpenFEMA: NFIP redacted claims, multiple-loss properties, community status book and residential penetration rates, housing assistance (owners and renters), public assistance funded projects, hazard mitigation properties and disaster declarations. Homes: Census ACS 2020–24. Preparedness tips: Ready.gov. FEMA’s model is an average of expected damage, not a forecast. How hazard risk is graded.