Photo: Joe Mabel · CC BY-SA 3.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Port Townsend than in 73% of U.S. towns, mostly from earthquakes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Port Townsend gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns, #121 of 285 in Washington. Most of that expected damage is earthquakes (68%), then river and rain flooding (23%). Flood insurance has paid 4 claims here since 1979.
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 Townsend 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 Townsend’s grade
Earthquakes are 68% of the building damage FEMA expects in Port Townsend, and Port Townsend’s rate of earthquakes damage is in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts. Tsunamis add 4%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
C #121 of 285 in Washington; higher expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Port Townsend’s residents live in 3 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 Townsend has less expected damage per building than 58% of Washington towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.1M a year in losses across Port Townsend: $3.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Port Townsend flood? Rarely: 4 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Port Townsend, from FEMA’s records: 0.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 86% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Port Townsend isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Jefferson County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Port Townsend
Disasters that paid out in Port Townsend itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Port Townsend), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2008Severe Winter Storm and Record and Near Record Snow$12K to the City of Port Townsend for repairs
Jefferson County has had 25 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 Townsend after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Port Townsend archive →Get ready for what Port Townsend 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 Townsend
Is Port Townsend at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Port Townsend has higher expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #121 of 285 in Washington. Most of the expected damage is earthquakes (68%) and river and rain flooding (23%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Port Townsend flood?
Flood insurance has paid 4 claims in Port Townsend since 1979, $27K in all, or 0.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 86% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Port Townsend 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 Jefferson County, 17% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.0% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Port Townsend?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Port Townsend’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 Townsend?
By FEMA money that reached Port Townsend, Severe Winter Storm and Record and Near Record Snow (2008): $12K to the City of Port Townsend for repairs.
Is Port Townsend at risk from earthquakes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (68%), and Port Townsend’s rate for it is in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Port Townsend.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Port Townsend’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.