Photo: Orange Suede Sofa · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Port Orchard faces more hazard damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns, mostly from earthquakes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Port Orchard gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns, #200 of 285 in Washington. Most of that expected damage is earthquakes (76%), then river and rain flooding (20%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 2022.
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 Port Orchard 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 Port Orchard’s grade
Earthquakes are 76% of the building damage FEMA expects in Port Orchard, and Port Orchard’s rate of earthquakes damage is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 2%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #200 of 285 in Washington; higher expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Port Orchard’s residents live in 7 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, Port Orchard has more expected damage per building than 70% of Washington towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $9.1M a year in losses across Port Orchard: $5.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Port Orchard flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 2022
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Port Orchard, from FEMA’s records: 0.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 96% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Port Orchard isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Kitsap County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Port Orchard
Disasters that paid out in Port Orchard itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Port Orchard), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2007Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides97 households applied for aid$203K aid approved$337K to the City of Port Orchard for repairs
- 2006Severe Storms, Flooding, Tidal Surge, Landslides, and Mudslides$5K to the City of Port Orchard for repairs
- 2003Severe Storms and Flooding20 households applied for aid$40K aid approved
- 2001Earthquake$26K to the City of Port Orchard for repairs
Kitsap County has had 13 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.
Old photos of Port Orchard after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Port Orchard archive →Port Orchard and its neighbors
Port Orchard is 3rd 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Navy Yard City | C−more damage than 75% | earthquakes | — |
| Bethel | C−more damage than 81% | earthquakes | — |
| Port Orchard | C−more damage than 84% | earthquakes | 2 |
| East Port Orchard | Dmore damage than 85% | earthquakes | 1 |
| Bremerton | Dmore damage than 86% | earthquakes | 9 |
| Parkwood | Dmore damage than 87% | earthquakes | 1 |
| Gorst | — | 550 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 Port Orchard 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 Port Orchard
Is Port Orchard at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Port Orchard has higher expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #200 of 285 in Washington. Most of the expected damage is earthquakes (76%) and river and rain flooding (20%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Port Orchard flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Port Orchard since 2022, $103K in all, or 0.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 96% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Port Orchard 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 Kitsap County, 39% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.8% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Port Orchard?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Port Orchard’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 Port Orchard?
By FEMA money that reached Port Orchard, Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2007): 97 households applied for aid, $203K approved, and $337K to the City of Port Orchard for repairs.
Is Port Orchard at risk from earthquakes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (76%), and Port Orchard’s rate for it is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Port Orchard.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Port Orchard’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.