FEMA puts Lake Tapps’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 65% of U.S. towns, mostly from earthquakes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lake Tapps gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns, #87 of 285 in Washington. Most of that expected damage is earthquakes (54%), then river and rain flooding (46%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2009.
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 Lake Tapps 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 Lake Tapps’ grade
Earthquakes are 54% of the building damage FEMA expects in Lake Tapps, and Lake Tapps’ rate of earthquakes damage is higher than 89% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 46% (lower than 61% of U.S. census tracts).
C+ #87 of 285 in Washington; higher expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Lake Tapps’ residents live in 4 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, Lake Tapps has less expected damage per building than 70% of Washington towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.1M a year in losses across Lake Tapps: $3.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Lake Tapps flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2009
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Lake Tapps, from FEMA’s records: 0.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 97% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Lake Tapps 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.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Lake Tapps
Disasters that paid out in Lake Tapps itself (aid to households or repair grants to Lake Tapps), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2009Severe Winter Storm, Landslides, Mudslides, and Flooding4 households applied for aid$6K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
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 Lake Tapps after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Lake Tapps archive →Lake Tapps and its neighbors
Lake Tapps has the lowest expected damage per building of the 4 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Tapps | C+more damage than 65% | earthquakes | 1 |
| Bonney Lake | Cmore damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Auburn | Dmore damage than 92% | earthquakes | 14 |
| Sumner | D−more damage than 97% | earthquakes | 131 |
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 Lake Tapps 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 Lake Tapps
Is Lake Tapps at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lake Tapps has higher expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #87 of 285 in Washington. Most of the expected damage is earthquakes (54%) and river and rain flooding (46%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Lake Tapps flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Lake Tapps since 2009, $7K in all, or 0.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 97% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Lake Tapps 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 Lake Tapps?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Lake Tapps’ 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 Lake Tapps?
By FEMA money that reached Lake Tapps, Severe Winter Storm, Landslides, Mudslides, and Flooding (2009): 4 households applied for aid, $6K approved.
Is Lake Tapps at risk from earthquakes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (54%), and Lake Tapps’ rate for it is higher than 89% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Lake Tapps.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Lake Tapps’ 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.