Photo: Kathy Calm · CC BY 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Lacey faces more hazard damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns, mostly from earthquakes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lacey gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns, #176 of 285 in Washington. Most of that expected damage is earthquakes (70%), then river and rain flooding (29%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 1999.
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 Lacey 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 Lacey’s grade
Earthquakes are 70% of the building damage FEMA expects in Lacey, and Lacey’s rate of earthquakes damage is in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 29% (lower than 65% of U.S. census tracts).
C− #176 of 285 in Washington; higher expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Lacey’s residents live in 17 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, Lacey has more expected damage per building than 62% of Washington towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $27.5M a year in losses across Lacey: $20.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Lacey flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 1999
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Lacey, from FEMA’s records: 0.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 100% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Lacey isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Thurston County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Lacey
Disasters that paid out in Lacey itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Lacey), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides3 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
- 2012Severe Winter Storm, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$128K to the City of Lacey for repairs
- 2008Severe Winter Storm and Record and Near Record Snow$15K to the City of Lacey for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides5 households applied for aid$5K aid approved
- 2006Severe Winter Storm, Landslides, and Mudslides$76K to the City of Lacey for repairs
- 2001Earthquake$99K to the City of Lacey for repairs
Thurston County has had 25 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often floods, then severe storms. 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 Thurston County, 2020–2020.
Old photos of Lacey after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Lacey archive →Lacey and its neighbors
Lacey has the lowest expected damage per building of the 3 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lacey | C−more damage than 81% | earthquakes | 1 |
| Tanglewilde | Dmore damage than 87% | earthquakes | — |
| Olympia | Dmore damage than 88% | earthquakes | 18 |
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 Lacey 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 Lacey
Is Lacey at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lacey has higher expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #176 of 285 in Washington. Most of the expected damage is earthquakes (70%) and river and rain flooding (29%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Lacey flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Lacey since 1999, $8K in all, or 0.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 100% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Lacey 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 Thurston County, 43% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.9% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Lacey?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Lacey’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 Lacey?
By FEMA money that reached Lacey, Severe Winter Storm, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2012): $128K to the City of Lacey for repairs.
Is Lacey at risk from earthquakes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (70%), and Lacey’s rate for it is in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Lacey.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Lacey’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.