Photo: SounderBruce · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Milton than in 82% of U.S. towns, mostly from earthquakes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Milton gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns, #181 of 285 in Washington. Most of that expected damage is earthquakes (77%), then river and rain flooding (22%). Flood insurance has paid 6 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 Milton 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 Milton’s grade
Earthquakes are 77% of the building damage FEMA expects in Milton, and Milton’s rate of earthquakes damage is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts. Volcanic activity adds 1%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #181 of 285 in Washington; higher expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Milton’s residents live in 5 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, Milton has more expected damage per building than 63% of Washington towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.8M a year in losses across Milton: $3.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Milton flood? Rarely: 6 flood claims since 1986
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Milton, from FEMA’s records: 1.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 65% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Milton 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 Milton
Disasters that paid out in Milton itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Milton), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2009Severe Winter Storm, Landslides, Mudslides, and Flooding2 households applied for aid$3K aid approved$6K to the City of Milton for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Severe Winter Storm and Record and Near Record Snow$7K to the City of Milton for repairs
- 2006Severe Winter Storm, Landslides, and Mudslides$11K to the City of Milton for repairs
- 2006Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides1 households applied for aid$27K to the City of Milton for repairs
- 2003Severe Storms and Flooding3 households applied for aid$1K 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 Milton after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Milton archive →Milton and its neighbors
Milton is 4th of the 6 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Federal Way | Cmore damage than 71% | earthquakes | 10 |
| Lakeland South | Cmore damage than 72% | earthquakes | 1 |
| Edgewood | C−more damage than 81% | earthquakes | — |
| Milton | C−more damage than 82% | earthquakes | 6 |
| Fife | Dmore damage than 95% | earthquakes | 4 |
| Fife Heights | Dmore damage than 95% | 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 Milton 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 Milton
Is Milton at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Milton has higher expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #181 of 285 in Washington. Most of the expected damage is earthquakes (77%) and river and rain flooding (22%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Milton flood?
Flood insurance has paid 6 claims in Milton since 1986, $92K in all, or 1.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 65% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Milton 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 Milton?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Milton’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 Milton?
By FEMA money that reached Milton, Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2006): 1 households applied for aid, $0 approved, and $27K to the City of Milton for repairs.
Is Milton at risk from earthquakes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (77%), and Milton’s rate for it is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Milton.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Milton’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.