Photo: Michael Barratt · Public domainMore hazard damage per building is expected in Ocean Shores than in 94% of U.S. towns, led by earthquakes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Ocean Shores gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns, #269 of 285 in Washington. Most of that expected damage is earthquakes (44%), then tsunamis (39%). Flood insurance has paid 11 claims 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 Ocean Shores faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Earthquakes
Tsunamis
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 Ocean Shores’ grade
Earthquakes are 44% of the building damage FEMA expects in Ocean Shores, and Ocean Shores’ rate of earthquakes damage is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts. Tsunamis add 39%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
D #269 of 285 in Washington; higher expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Ocean Shores’ residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical Washington town has higher expected damage than 76% of U.S. towns; within the state, Ocean Shores has more expected damage per building than 94% of Washington towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $96.4M a year in losses across Ocean Shores: $6.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Ocean Shores flood? Sometimes: 11 flood claims since 1999
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Ocean Shores, from FEMA’s records: 1.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 63% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Winter storm5 claims · $47K
Ocean Shores isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Grays Harbor County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Ocean Shores
Disasters that paid out in Ocean Shores itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Ocean Shores), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2020Severe Winter Storm, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$12K to the City of Ocean Shores for repairs
- 2020Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$31K to the City of Ocean Shores for repairs
- 2015Severe Windstorm$10K to the City of Ocean Shores for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides174 households applied for aid$46K aid approved5 flood claims paid that year
- 2006Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides1 households applied for aid$429 aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
- 2003Severe Storms and Flooding1 households applied for aid$577 aid approved
Show all 7
- 2001Earthquake$8K to the City of Ocean Shores for repairs
Grays Harbor County has had 30 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.
Old photos of Ocean Shores after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Ocean Shores archive →Get ready for what Ocean Shores 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.
- Strong shaking or a sudden drop in the sea means head for high ground now.
- Learn the tsunami route signs near the shore.
- Stay away until officials say it’s safe.
- 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 Ocean Shores
Is Ocean Shores at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Ocean Shores has higher expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #269 of 285 in Washington. Most of the expected damage is earthquakes (44%) and tsunamis (39%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Ocean Shores flood?
Flood insurance has paid 11 claims in Ocean Shores since 1999, $192K in all, or 1.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 63% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Winter storm (5).
Is Ocean Shores 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 Grays Harbor County, 19% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 4.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Ocean Shores?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Ocean Shores’ 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 Ocean Shores?
By FEMA money that reached Ocean Shores, Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2007): 174 households applied for aid, $46K approved. By flood claims, Winter storm: 5 paid, $47K.
Is Ocean Shores at risk from earthquakes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (44%), and Ocean Shores’ rate for it is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Ocean Shores.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Ocean Shores’ 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.