FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Orting than in 93% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Orting gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns, #262 of 285 in Washington. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (58%), then earthquakes (38%). Flood insurance has paid 23 claims here since 1990.
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 stands out about Orting’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Orting faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
River and rain flooding
Earthquakes
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 Orting’s grade
River and rain flooding is 58% of the building damage FEMA expects in Orting, and Orting’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts. Earthquakes add 38%, at a rate in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
D #262 of 285 in Washington; higher expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Orting’s residents live in 2 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, Orting has more expected damage per building than 92% of Washington towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $6.2M a year in losses across Orting: $4.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Orting flood? Sometimes: 23 flood claims since 1990
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Orting, from FEMA’s records: 7.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 68% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Torrential rain3 claims · $167K
Orting is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 6) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Pierce County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Orting
Disasters that paid out in Orting itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Orting), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides12 households applied for aid$28K aid approved
- 2012Severe Winter Storm, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$29K to the City of Orting for repairs
- 2009Severe Winter Storm, Landslides, Mudslides, and Flooding24 households applied for aid$78K aid approved$11K to the City of Orting for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2006Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides62 households applied for aid$172K aid approved$28K to the City of Orting for repairs3 flood claims 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 Orting after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Orting archive →Orting and its neighbors
Orting is 3rd of the 3 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
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 Orting faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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.
- Orting residents get 20% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Orting
Is Orting at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Orting has higher expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #262 of 285 in Washington. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (58%) and earthquakes (38%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Orting flood?
Flood insurance has paid 23 claims in Orting since 1990, $361K in all, or 7.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 68% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Torrential rain (3).
Is Orting 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 Orting?
Orting is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 6), which takes 20% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Orting?
By FEMA money that reached Orting, Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2006): 62 households applied for aid, $172K approved, and $28K to the City of Orting for repairs. By flood claims, Torrential rain: 3 paid, $167K.
Is Orting at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (58%), and Orting’s rate for it is in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Orting.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Orting’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.