Photo: Ken Lund from Reno, NV, USA · CC BY-SA 2.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Gig Harbor than in 74% of U.S. towns, mostly from earthquakes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Gig Harbor gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns, #126 of 285 in Washington. Most of that expected damage is earthquakes (72%), then river and rain flooding (27%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 1979.
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 Gig Harbor 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 Gig Harbor’s grade
Earthquakes are 72% of the building damage FEMA expects in Gig Harbor, and Gig Harbor’s rate of earthquakes damage is in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 27% (lower than 84% of U.S. census tracts).
C #126 of 285 in Washington; higher expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Gig Harbor’s residents live in 7 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, Gig Harbor has less expected damage per building than 56% of Washington towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $7.9M a year in losses across Gig Harbor: $5.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Gig Harbor flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Gig Harbor, from FEMA’s records: 0.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 98% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Gig Harbor 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.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Gig Harbor
Disasters that paid out in Gig Harbor itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Gig Harbor), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides2 households applied for aid$5K aid approved
- 2009Severe Winter Storm, Landslides, Mudslides, and Flooding14 households applied for aid$4K aid approved
- 2008Severe Winter Storm and Record and Near Record Snow$16K to the City of Gig Harbor for repairs
- 2006Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides8 households applied for aid$4K aid approved
- 2003Severe Storms and Flooding9 households applied for aid$20K aid approved
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 Gig Harbor after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Gig Harbor archive →Gig Harbor and its neighbors
Gig Harbor is 4th of the 7 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wollochet | C+more damage than 64% | earthquakes | 5 |
| Artondale | Cmore damage than 71% | earthquakes | 9 |
| Maplewood | Cmore damage than 73% | earthquakes | 9 |
| Gig Harbor | Cmore damage than 74% | earthquakes | 1 |
| Canterwood | Cmore damage than 74% | earthquakes | — |
| Rosedale | C−more damage than 77% | earthquakes | 2 |
| Purdy | C−more damage than 79% | earthquakes | — |
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 Gig Harbor 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 Gig Harbor
Is Gig Harbor at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Gig Harbor has higher expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #126 of 285 in Washington. Most of the expected damage is earthquakes (72%) and river and rain flooding (27%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Gig Harbor flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Gig Harbor since 1979, $2K in all, or 0.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 98% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Gig Harbor 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 Gig Harbor?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Gig Harbor’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 Gig Harbor?
By FEMA money that reached Gig Harbor, Severe Storms and Flooding (2003): 9 households applied for aid, $20K approved.
Is Gig Harbor at risk from earthquakes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (72%), and Gig Harbor’s rate for it is in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Gig Harbor.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Gig Harbor’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.