Photo: Sea Cow · CC BY-SA 4.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Forks than in 88% of U.S. towns, mostly from earthquakes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Forks gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns, #229 of 285 in Washington. Most of that expected damage is earthquakes (60%), then river and rain flooding (40%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2021.
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 Forks 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 Forks’ grade
Earthquakes are 60% of the building damage FEMA expects in Forks, and Forks’ rate of earthquakes damage is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 40% (higher than 65% of U.S. census tracts).
D #229 of 285 in Washington; higher expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Forks’ residents live in 2 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, Forks has more expected damage per building than 80% of Washington towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.6M a year in losses across Forks: $2.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Forks flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2021
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Forks, from FEMA’s records: 0.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 87% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Forks isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Clallam County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Forks
Disasters that paid out in Forks itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Forks), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides67 households applied for aid$241K aid approved$188K to the City of Forks for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2009Severe Winter Storm, Landslides, Mudslides, and Flooding2 households applied for aid$7K to the City of Forks for repairs
- 2008Severe Winter Storm and Record and Near Record Snow$4K to the City of Forks for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides119 households applied for aid$103K aid approved
- 2003Severe Storms and Flooding20 households applied for aid$39K aid approved
Clallam County has had 25 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.
Old photos of Forks after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Forks archive →Get ready for what Forks 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 Forks
Is Forks at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Forks has higher expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #229 of 285 in Washington. Most of the expected damage is earthquakes (60%) and river and rain flooding (40%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Forks flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Forks since 2021, $158K in all, or 0.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 87% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Forks 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 Clallam County, 0.8% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Forks?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Forks’ 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 Forks?
By FEMA money that reached Forks, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2021): 67 households applied for aid, $241K approved, and $188K to the City of Forks for repairs.
Is Forks at risk from earthquakes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (60%), and Forks’ rate for it is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Forks.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Forks’ 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.